Changes coming to Sagamore Parkway?

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Sagamore Parkway is one of the most heavily traveled roads within Greater Lafayette, and it may be undergoing major changes.

West Lafayette city engineers aren't ready to start construction anytime soon, but several ideas have already been developed to stay ahead of any changes that need to be made.

A corridor study was conducted to make sure the main stretch of highway can handle the stress of the growing city.

"52 out of West Lafayette and on out to Klondike is what this corridor study looked at," West Lafayette City Engineer Dave Buck said. "That area is evolving. As 231 gets completed and open, that's going to continue to change how transportation uses 52 to get to where they're going and where they're coming from."

Buck said his department will monitor how the opening of the 231 bypass will change traffic volume on Sagamore Parkway.

If 231 removes some of the volume, only minor changes may need to be made. If not, several ideas and plans are already in place.

"They came up with some concept drawings later of adding lanes," Buck said. "One of the concepts was to make it six lanes."

The study also accounted for the effects other construction projects will have on Sagamore Parkway's traffic volume, including the expansion of Cumberland Avenue.

"This summer the county is going to build Cumberland out to Klondike," Buck said. "There will be a major intersection there with 231."

Although major construction changes aren't likely to occur on Sagamore Parkway for at least several more years, Buck said he would like to work with the Indiana Department of Transportation in order to fix the storm drainage problem.

"That's definitely something INDOT would be happy to do, work with the city of West Lafayette to look and investigate further if there is something that needs to be done with the drainage in that area," INDOT Spokeswoman Debbie Calder said.

Head to this website to view the full corridor report and the plans West Lafayette has for the future of Sagamore Parkway.