County engineer recommends against closing Ireland road after public input/traffic research
Dubois County Engineer Levi Leffert informed commissioners that he didn’t support permanently closing a section of County Road 250 North in Ireland, following an investigation and gathering of public input over recent weeks.
The Indiana Department of Transportation had approached the county about potentially closing the road section between Grant Street and State Road 56 as part of a future sidewalk project, with INDOT covering the costs.
Leffert said INDOT had safety concerns and pointed to the operational challenges associated with the skewed angle at which County Road 250 intersects State Road 56, as well as its proximity to the signal intersection of State Road 56 and County Road 500 West.
The intersection’s unusual design raised initial concerns because it would never meet current engineering standards, he explained.
“We would never design an intersection like that in today’s design standards,” Leffert said. “At the end of the day we’re not having problems with it.”
Leffert pulled crash data for the past several years to determine if the intersection was problematic and found it was not causing safety issues.
The county reached out to the public through Facebook comments, emails, phone calls, and in-person conversations to gather input on the potential closure. The response revealed heavy community reliance on the intersection.
“The locals rely heavily on that intersection as access to nearby businesses,” Leffert said.
Ireland’s tight road network makes the County Road 250 intersection particularly important for commercial vehicles accessing local businesses. The road also serves as a route for school pickups and drop-offs.
The engineer noted that users of the intersection are typically local residents who understand how to navigate it safely.
“People that are using that road are going to be more or lesser locals. They know how to navigate it. They’re used to it,” he said. “I don’t think it’s worth the county to disrupt all that.”
A full traffic study would be required to determine how closing the road would impact other routes, but Leffert concluded the disruption would not be justified.
The commissioners supported Leffert’s recommendation without opposition.
“I don’t disagree,” said one commissioner during the discussion.
Leffert emphasized the importance of the public input process in reaching the decision.
The commissioners also discussed the following at the Monday morning meeting.
Emergency Alert System Implementation
Emergency Management Director Tammy Humbert and 9-1-1 Director Stuart Wilson requested support for implementing IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert and Warning System) at $1,800 annually. Unlike voluntary sign-up systems, which often achieve only 10% participation from the public, IPAWS delivers government-issued alerts directly to all cell phones within designated geographic areas, similar to Amber Alerts. The system integrates with the existing RAVE dispatch platform, requiring extensive training and monthly testing protocols. With 77 hazardous material facilities countywide and significant rail traffic, rapid emergency notification becomes critical. The commissioners approved it pending policy development, recognizing the bargain price for comprehensive county-wide emergency communication capabilities during hazmat incidents or other dire emergencies. Story here.
Home Rehabilitation Program Bid Opening
The planned bid opening for health owner-occupied rehabilitation projects failed to materialize, with no bids received for Radon remediation work on three county homes. These projects will be combined with the October 2nd bidding, representing the program’s final opportunity. Over $250,000 in grant funding remains available for local contractors, covering ADA compliance, HVAC work, and roofing projects up to $20,000 each. Contractors need only submit 5% bid bonds and demonstrate standard business insurance. The commissioners emphasize urgency, as unused funds will be returned to the state, potentially leaving patient homeowners without needed improvements.
POW Memorial Lighting Installation
The Veterans Council requested installation of shadow lighting behind the POW Monument in the courthouse square. Using $8,722 in leftover donations from the American Legion’s fundraising efforts, Fisher Electric will install a 15-watt LED spotlight for $1,200. The light will shine upward from behind the monument, creating ambient illumination without creating road safety hazards. The commissioners approve the project unanimously, appreciating the community’s continued investment in maintaining beautiful downtown monuments. The work utilizes the courthouse monument fund, previously amended to accommodate veteran memorial projects through local donations and Eagle Scout initiatives.
