INDOT warns drivers of changes at busy intersection

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - Indiana Department of Transportation officials say the Boulevard Left intersection is set to open at Washington Ave. and U.S. 41.

After months of work, crews started removing old signs with new ones, unveiling the new traffic pattern.

Gary Brian, Public Relations Director with INDOT, says they’re taking left turns away from the main intersection. Drivers will now have to drive past the intersection, and take a median U-Turn to turn left.

“What this does, is remove the rear-end and right-angle crashes from this intersection that we have seen,” said Brian.

It’s not just the traffic pattern that’s new, a highly anticipated pedestrian bridge over U.S. 41 is also open.

“It’s all about making this intersection safer,” said Brian, “I think folks in this area know this is an intersection that has a lot of crashes when we do an intersection improvement it’s because we have those.”

Now, officials are warning drivers to be careful with the new pattern and use caution when driving in the area for the first time.

“Have patience with yourself, patience with your fellow driver, this is new just like our displaced left turn was folks are going to be doing this for the first time so give everyone some grace,” said Brian, “once this gets in and everyone starts understanding it, I think it’s really going to help improve safety and also flow at this intersection.”

He says crews will continue to work in the area for the next couple months to complete beautification work like planting grass, painting the bridge and restriping the roadway.

This intersection has been under construction for months, and is now coming into fruition for the benefit of drivers and pedestrians.

“Once everyone gets used to it, it’s going to be a great alternative, and it’s a great way to keep everyone safe,” he says.

INDOT shared a video on their Facebook page that shows how to navigate the new intersection.

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