Husky Trail Roundabout Open, But Traffic Reroutes Continue
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Information about phase II of the Husky Trail project has been widely reported, but drivers were still going the wrong way or going around barricades Monday to get to their destinations.
One driver Monday afternoon, who didn’t want to give her name, said she didn’t know about the construction project because she doesn’t pay attention to the news, but a banner attached to an airplane flying overhead probably would be something she would notice.
Phase I was completed – including the opening of the roundabout at Husky Trail and Mariners Drive – and phase II began Friday, with phase II expected to be completed by the end of October.
In about 15 minutes Monday afternoon, Warsaw Police officer Justin Curtis estimated 30 vehicles came south from East CR 200N to the intersection with North Pointe Drive and Harrison Elementary School, only to have to turn around.
Coming from 200N to North?Pointe Drive was the detour for phase I of the project to get to Parkview Hospital, the YMCA and other businesses and residences.
Many drivers asked Curtis how they could get to Parkview Hospital or the YMCA now. Curtis told them to use the roundabout to get to Mariners Drive and take that to their destination as that’s the detour for phase II of the project.
To get to the roundabout, drivers can take U.S. 30 to Parker Street and then Husky Trail north to the roundabout at Mariners Drive.
Some drivers have been ignoring the barricades, and in some instances moving the barricades to get to their destination since the project began.
On Monday afternoon, Curtis pointed out tire marks left on the newly installed curbs along Husky Trail where vehicles drove around barricades instead of taking the detours.
Husky Trail is closed from North Pointe Drive to just north of Canterbury House Apartments. North Pointe Drive can only be accessed from Mariners Drive.
Glad Street also is closed to through traffic.
The part of Husky Trail under construction during phase II is only open to local residents residing within phase II. They should continue to use the existing detour north. No through traffic is permitted during phase II construction. All through traffic will be directed to the posted detour.
Harrison Elementary School’s access is through Flora Avenue from the roundabout. The Husky Trail roundabout is open to businesses, residents and the school via Mariners Drive.
Safety improvements to Husky Trail include sidewalks on both sides of the street, decorative street lights and dedicated turning lanes. The project – which is funded 80 percent by the Indiana Department of Transportation – started April 3 and is ahead of schedule. The project cost is an estimated $3.2 million. Phase I wasn’t expected to be completed until early August.
A map of the project is available online through the city’s website at www.warsaw.in.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1891.
