S.R. 26 construction raises concerns

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Construction on a heavily traveled highway in West Lafayette has some worried about inconveniences it will pose.

The site improvement project on SR 26 at County Roads 300 West and 500 West will start July 6th.

The Indiana Department of Transportation will spend five months leveling out roadways to make it safer for drivers.

Some people living in that area said they support the project if it makes the roads safer, but others living along the detour are dreading the five month project.

"I am concerned that I'm going to have people zooming through my narrow neighborhood street between now and December ninth," said Susan Schechter.

Drury Lane, where Schechter lives, isn't going to be torn up for the State Road 26 construction project. But it could be affected by it.

"They paved Drury Lane last summer and we were concerned at that point, 'oh, they're thinking that they're gonna use this for people to get by the construction.' And that sure looks like it's the case now," she said.

When construction starts, signs indicating detour routes will be posted. INDOT designated a detour using state roads. But Schechter worries drivers will use residential roads instead because they are faster.

"The speeds would be excessive, the traffic would be excessive. There are no sidewalks along there. People walk along there," said Schechter.

Public Information Director Debbie Calder said INDOT will do what it can to ensure detour routes and roads that might be used to bypass construction stay safe.

"If they are having some concerns we will talk with the law enforcement in the area and try to have them patrol those areas more frequently," said Calder.

Resident Judy Cypherd lives near where the construction will be. She too has some concerns about the construction.

"It will be a huge inconvenience for many people having to travel way out of the way," said Cypherd.

But she said the inconvenience is overshadowed by the fact that she thinks this project is necessary.

"We've seen, we've witnessed terrible accidents. There have been deaths at the intersection so I'm relieved that it's going to be fixed," she said.

Also at the meeting, some residents raised concerns about road construction crews traipsing through their property and causing damage.

INDOT employees assured them if any damage does happen to their property, it will be the construction workers responsibility to take care of.