STATEHOUSE — A community concern surrounding State Road 58 near Bedford North Lawrence High School has prompted a positive response from state officials.
Recently, State Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford) met with representatives of the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Southwest District at the site to request a closer look at a narrow section of roadway on SR 58 near Fellowship Drive. Koch invited area resident Lee Hutchinson, who had brought the situation to Koch’s attention, to the meeting.
Following this meeting and an evaluation, INDOT agreed to widen an existing culvert to allow for more room on the roadway and install a guardrail at the location. Design work on the project will begin immediately, with construction set to begin in the fiscal year 2025.
“It’s our job to maintain safety and mobility on our state roads,” District Deputy Commissioner Rusty Fowler said. “We were happy to meet with Senator Koch to review this location, and better understand the specific concern. The public is our eyes and ears, so it’s important to engage with the local community about these types of issues and work toward addressing their concerns when we have that opportunity.”
In addition to the planned improvements, INDOT further agreed to immediately make the area a no-passing zone. New “double yellow” lines have already been painted to reflect the change.
“I want to thank Lee Hutchinson for contacting me about this situation and INDOT for its responsiveness to this request,” Koch said. “Installing a wider culvert with guardrails and replacing the passing zone with a double yellow line will significantly improve the safety on this section of highway. I am pleased to have been able to help facilitate a solution.”
Sen. Koch, chairman of the Senate Committee on Utilities, serves Senate District 44, which includes all or parts of Bartholomew, Brown, Jackson, Lawrence, and Monroe counties. Koch can be reached via email at Senator.Koch@iga.in.gov or by phone at 800-382-9467.
