ANDERSON, Ind. — An Indianapolis woman has decided to sue the state over the extra lane on the exit ramp at Interstate 69's Exit 22.
Sherri Roizen, a saleswoman who travels all over Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, said she flattened three tires when she hit the raised median at the exit last week.
The exit's southbound lane includes a raised median separating regular traffic from motorists and trucks coming out of the Flagship Enterprise Center.
Roizen said improper signage at the exit leads to confusion, and led to her crash.
"I was busy looking at the sign. I could see there was a curb when I approached it, but as I'm looking at the sign trying to figure it out, it's just confusing," Roizen said.
Trying to figure out if she should change lanes, Roizen slammed into the curb and jumped over it, bottoming out on top of the raised median between lanes.
"I just slammed right into it," she said. . .
http://heraldbulletin.com/local/x970731575/Driver-plans-to-sue-INDOT-over-Exit-22-lane (http://heraldbulletin.com/local/x970731575/Driver-plans-to-sue-INDOT-over-Exit-22-lane)
Now I cannot say that I am surprised that the configuration on this exit has driven someone to this level of anger. While I am sure many in the city of Anderson may find this fact surprising and maybe angering, the fact remains that the lane configuration at that exit, specifically coming out of the Flagship Business area toward I 69, is unusual and strikingly inappropriate for the short length of area that exists there.
Those of us who use the exit frequently probably are thinking why is this is such a problem? The fact is we drive it so much we are now used to the ignorant level of engineering that went into the configuration, however, those who are unfamiliar with it, such as traveling sales reps and visitors to the area, will find it just as confusing and dangerous as each one of us did the first few times we encountered the darned thing.
(I'll try to get a picture of this exit sometime tomorrow if I think about it. Those of you living outside of the area need a good visual to understand just how ignorant this configuration is).
The first time I encountered this configuration I knew it was going to be a problem. It is unusual in that it is replicating an exit ramp configuration normally used on high speed interstates, wherein the physical exit traffic is funneled away from through traffic via a mile or more long side road that physically separates the traffic flow. A good and effective way to prevent traffic exiting from backing up the highway. BUT, in the case here the length of area amounts to less than a 1/4 block in length, and actually amounts to a pair of hard rights for traffic coming out of the Flagship and using the lane to enter the ramp to I-69. With a high curb between the lane and through traffic lanes.
I've seen myself dozens of vehicles bottomed out and stuck upon that curbing since its placement. The landscapers who witnessed the incident here actually told the victim they had seen 6 other vehicles do the very same thing that week alone . (See article).
The configuration is more troublesome and confusing that it is worth to say the least, and it should be eliminated as soon as possible before someone ends up severely injured or killed! :yes: