INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Transportation is investing approximately $4.1 million in intersection improvements on local streets in Marion County ahead of major projects coming to the area. INDOT is engaging contractors to perform traffic signal upgrades and spot improvements to numerous Indianapolis area intersections to help reduce congestion and improve traffic flow and safety on routes that may experience increased traffic volume during major interstate construction.
INDOT is funding the total cost of the local improvements and coordinating the work with the Indianapolis Department of Public Works.
The effort will modernize a total of 489 traffic signals in three different groups. Several intersections will be equipped with GPS time synchronization cards for traffic signals. The GPS cards will be installed to maintain accurate time clocks for each signal, enhancing synchronization between the lights. Most of these will be installed in Center Township and on highly traveled major thoroughfares.
The second group of signals will have cellular modems installed. The modems will also ensure time clock synchronization and have the capability to be controlled by INDOT’s Traffic Management Center so that signal timing can be adjusted remotely. East Washington, Pendelton Pike, and Meridian St. will be included in this group.
The third group of signals will have cellular modems installed as well as Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras that can be viewed from the INDOT Traffic Management Center to help monitor for congested streets. The real-time video allows traffic technicians to make signal adjustments to accommodate for heavy traffic. Video is not recorded or archived.
Spot improvements, such as turn signals, median and curb alterations and turn lane additions, will reduce congestion at 11 intersections. Intersections on the east, southeast, and northeast side include Raymond and Southeastern, Washington St. and New Jersey, Washington St. and East St., and Washington St. at Southeastern Ave.