ETNA GREEN — Around 10 Etna Green citizens attended Tuesday’s town council meeting to voice concerns about a possible J-turn being established at the Ind. 19 and U.S. 30 intersection.
The group included representatives from the Amish and emergency personnel communities.
Rusty Holt, supervising traffic engineer with engineering firm WSP, attended the council meeting to answer questions about the ProPEL U.S. 30 East study. In late March, the Indiana Department of Transportation released an update on potential alternatives at over 80 intersections on U.S. 30 to address needs and desired outcomes along each corridor.
The adoptions are detailed in a draft of a Level 2 screening report, which evaluates location-specific improvements for constructibility, fiscal responsibility and potential impacts.
According to the report, in the last five years, there have been 34 vehicle accidents at the Ind. 19 and U.S. 30 intersection, including one fatality. There are several improvement concepts the study considers for the intersection, but citizens are concerned about the potential establishment of a reduced conflict intersection, also known as a J-turn.
A J-turn prevents motorists from crossing a highway directly at specifically redesigned intersections. Instead, motorists turn right onto the highway and then turn around in an approved, nearby median crossing. There is an RCI at the U.S. 30 and CR 500E intersection near Coesse in Whitley County.
Holt said a J-turn was established on Ind. 101, near Fort Wayne. Farmers and emergency personnel in that area expressed an appreciation for it, according to Holt.

    Pictured is a J-turn graphic. Artwork from the Indiana Department of Transportation
  

Triton School Corporation Transportation Director Laura Baker said she had safety concerns with school buses utilizing a J-turn. She noted having to redo some of her bus routes to avoid a J-turn, which would extend the amount of time some students are on buses.
Two members of the Amish community also voiced concerns with a J-turn, stating a lot of horse-drawn buggies cross U.S. 30 frequently, especially for Sunday church services. They estimated about 15 to 20 buggies cross U.S. 30 within a 40-minute timespan on Sunday mornings. Several in attendance also said the Amish community in the area was expanding, which would affect those numbers.
They also noted a J-turn would expose the Amish community to more danger by placing them on U.S. 30 for a longer period of time.
Holt said he was unsure if a J-turn was ever established close to an Amish community. He also said INDOT traditionally places an extra-wide shoulder on their roads to accommodate horse-drawn carriages. Holt further noted having knowledge on how many buggies cross U.S. 30 on Sundays was very helpful.
"INDOT understands all the concerns," said Holt.
Etna Township Fire Department members expressed concerns with a J-turn affecting the department's response time to calls, as well as the buggies' longer exposure on the roadway potentially leading to semi versus buggy accidents.
"How would you respond, knowing that you didn't have any choice in the J-turn?" said ETFD Chief Kevin Smith II. "And then I have to go to (the Amish community) and all I can say is, 'I'm sorry.'"
Multiple comments were also made about motorists frequently disregarding the stoplight currently at the Ind. 19 and U.S. 30 intersection and the possibility of having a stronger law enforcement presence in the area.
Baker said Winona Powder Coating liked the accessibility of U.S. 30 and would hate to see the business's access affected by a J-turn.
Former councilman Keith Claassen said he didn't understand how J-turns were still being discussed as a possibility when opposition was voiced to them several years ago.
"The PEL study is taking one last fresh look at everything," said Holt. "We're looking at it one more time so INDOT can ultimately determine 'It's a good idea' or 'It's not a good idea.'"
The group thanked Holt for attending the meeting and listening to their feedback. Councilman Jason Hanes encouraged the community to look at the U.S. 30 East Level 2 screening report online.