The traffic snarls Fishers motorists have endured lately are coming to an end, as the work on 116th Street just east of I-69 has been completed. This construction is improving the approach to the IKEA store site, now under construction.
For more details, read the news release from the City of Fishers below:
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Phase one of the 116th Street widening project will wrap up today with a new signaled intersection and traffic pattern taking effect at or after 10 p.m. this evening. The completion of the project fulfills infrastructure requirements for the new IKEA Fishers as a part of the economic development agreement announced late 2015. Commuters are encouraged to use caution when traveling in the area.
The new traffic signal located at 116th Street and Exit Five Parkway/IKEA Way will begin flashing all yellow throughout the day, today. At or after 10 p.m. this evening, the new signal at 116th Street and Exit Five Parkway/IKEA Way will be turned on and operable. At that time, the existing signal at 116th Street and USA Parkway will be permanently removed.
The new traffic pattern includes the closure of the median at 116th Street and USA Parkway to all left turning vehicles—creating a right-in and right-out intersection. All vehicles traveling north on USA Parkway wanting to turn left on 116th Street must turn right onto IKEA Way to access the new traffic signal at 116th Street. All vehicles on westbound 116th Street wanting to go south onto USA Parkway must turn left at Exit Five Parkway/IKEA Way. Message boards will be in place to help drivers take note of the new traffic pattern.
Phase one of the infrastructure improvement project also included the addition of an eastbound travel lane on 116th Street from Commercial Drive to IKEA Way, as well as an additional turn lane from the I-69 exit ramp to USA Parkway. The improvements were made to accommodate heavy p.m. traffic through the corridor. Currently, the corridor sees 40,000 vehicles a day with the evening commute experiencing the peak traffic volume.
“This project was identified to improve traffic flow and efficiency during peak hours,” said Director of Engineering Jeff Hill. “We see a significant uptick in traffic during the P.M. commute. By increasing the capacity on the eastbound lanes, we can reduce travel times for the residents in a smart way.”
Phase two of the project includes the widening of 116th Street from Exit Five Parkway/IKEA Way to Cumberland Road and is expected to begin construction in the spring of 2017.