The Indiana Department of Transportation announced signal improvements to numerous intersections along U.S. 30 in both Whitley and Kosciusko counties. Shambaugh & Son of Fort Wayne started the $1 million modernization project on April 6 near Etna Green, moving east along U.S. 30 toward Fort Wayne, according to a press release from INDOT. The project consists of new signals heads, cabinets and other upgrades designated for each area and the addition of flashing yellow arrows on left-turn signals at select intersections. Motorists should expect to encounter temporary daytime lane restrictions in all locations, according to INDOT. The project will finish in Fort Wayne, with completion scheduled for late June. The four intersections in Kosciusko County that received the new flashing yellow arrow signals include: U.S. 30 at Ind. 19; U.S. 30 at CR 150W (Silveus Crossing); U.S. 30 at Springhill Road; and U.S. 30 at Parker Street. These have been installed since the first week of April. Intersections in Whitley County receiving new flashing yellow arrow signals are: U.S. 30 at Ind. 5; U.S. 30 at Lincolnway Road; U.S. 20 at Armstrong Drive; U.S. 30 at CR 300E; U.S. 30 at CR 600E; and U.S. 30 at CR 800E. With the new flashing yellow arrow configuration, drivers will still be able to make protected left turns with a steady green arrow. A steady yellow arrow follows that phase, and then a steady red arrow for one to two seconds. At that point, a flashing yellow arrow will allow left-turning traffic to proceed after yielding to oncoming traffic, which has a green light. The flashing yellow arrow will be followed by a steady yellow arrow and then a steady red arrow again, the release states. The steady yellow left-turn arrow retains its standard meaning, that the signal is about to change to a steady red arrow, and drivers should prepare to stop, or, if they have already entered the intersection, they should complete the left turn when oncoming traffic has cleared. INDOT Media Relations Director Nichole Hacha-Thomas said the flashing yellow light signals have been used in Allen County for nearly a year. She said these signals are a safety measure. On Monday, there was a two-vehicle accident involving a semi and a pickup truck at the intersection of U.S. 30 and Silveus Crossing. The driver of the pickup truck, Lester Hamell, 64, Kimmel, was struck by a westbound semi driven by Eryk Nowak, 33, River Grove, Ill, while attempting to make a left turn at a yellow light, according to police. Hamell was airlifted to Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, for back and internal injuries. Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer encourages everyone to be careful with the traffic signals. He said traffic habits have been engrained and they have suddenly changed. “(Oncoming) traffic does not stop on a flashing yellow light,” Thallemer said. “Be very very careful.” More information about the flashing yellow left-turn arrow is available on INDOT’s website at www.in.gov/indot/3202.htm and a video on INDOT’s YouTube channel, IndianaDOT, explains the flashing yellow arrow phase at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmSfBsVKs7o
