Old SR 25 & Heartland 'T' junction problematic for some drivers

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - The new Hoosier Heartland Highway was designed to be a safer route for drivers. But where the Hoosier Heartland meets Old State Road 25 near Americus, that may not be the case.

The tracks in the dirt are all that are left behind from several drivers on Old State Road 25 who drove through the stop sign.

"You're not going to see it until - until it's too late," said Fred Fields.

Fields travels on Old State Road 25 between Americus and Delphi every day. But he's worried about his and other drivers' safety at a newly constructed "T."

"I've just witnessed the aftermath, myself, of four vehicles running off the end of the road where it 'T's, where you've got to make a choice from the Old Highway 25 to the New 25," said explained Fields.

New State Road 25 is the Hoosier Heartland Highway. Fields said he loves the new road, but he's afraid this one spot will become as notorious as the Old State Road 25. He said drivers are missing the one sign that warns drivers a stop is ahead.

"People aren't paying attention to that and they're not getting stopped. They're getting to the top of that hill and just crossing the road and just running down. It's about a 40-foot embankment there," said Fields.

The Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office has confirmed there has been several slide-offs there. That's why the Sheriff's Office contacted the Tippecanoe County Highway Department. The highway department and the Indiana Department of Transportation are now working to make the "T" safer.

"We have decided to add some additional signage to help people navigate that area. We are adding dual stop ahead signs. Right now, there's one. There will be another one of the left-hand side of the road," said INDOT Spokeswoman, Debbie Calder.

Calder said another stop sign will be added to the left-hand side of the road as well. She said those signs should be up within the next two weeks. Action was also taken Tuesday when reflective posts were installed.

Calder said because engineers have determined the embankment is recoverable for drivers, INDOT will not be installing a guardrail because it may cause more damage. Calder said it's a bad time of year with the cold temperatures to install rumble strips. She's hoping the extra signage will be the only thing that's needed.