If You are Traveling Between Evansville and Owensboro Via Reo, You Need to Take This Detour
Richland, Indiana Detour Leaves Drivers Scratching Their Heads
Once a week, I travel to our Owensboro office. I always go through Reo instead of Henderson. Last week, there was a major accident at Yankeetown Road, so I decided to go through Richland on my way home, which spat me out in Boonville.
No worries, I thought. I live in Boonville, so... easy peasy.
And not to get off subject, but Richland, Indiana, is the cutest little bitty town.
I'd heard there was a detour, so today I decided to go back through Richland. I was surprised when I got back out to State Road 66 and discovered signs saying "no through traffic."
This was really strange to me because the construction is happening at Willow Pond Ditch near South County Road 500 West.
INDOT Construction Has Me Scratching My Head
I don't work for a news station, so I can go ahead and speak my truth.
Not much of what INDOT does makes sense to me. I just can't wrap my head around setting out barrels months ahead of time for projects and slowing down traffic.
And don't get me started on DISPLACED LEFT TURNS. Gah!
That convoluted, bizarre way of directing traffic has already proven to be dangerous. I've watched people turn the wrong way into oncoming traffic because it's confusing as all get-out. And they're putting in more on the Lloyd Expressway!
Oh, and guess what? I drive the Lloyd every single day to work, and it's saved me NO time.
NONE.
Zero.
Zilch.
Anyway, back to this detour.
Where Is the Detour?
The official detour is to take the Natcher bridge. If you make it to Reo and turn left, you're in for some heavy backroad travel. If you turn at Patronville, you're also going to end up on some pretty serious backroads. Fine for cars - nightmare for truckers.
INDOT should have been made crystal clear to all motorists, especially truck drivers.
It's one thing to have a detour around a construction site. It's another thing entirely when the official route requires motorists to take a completely different route altogether. This needed to be promoted much more heavily so people knew before they even got on the blue bridge.
They put up plenty of NO THROUGH TRAFFIC signs once we got to Richland, but there weren't clear signs telling drivers where they were actually supposed to go.
And there has already been a semi accident.
I also doubt anyone is intentionally ignoring the detour signs. The problem is that many drivers may not know there's a detour until they're already on the wrong road. My GPS literally took me right through the construction zone. If the goal is to keep semis and other motorists off these narrow county roads, the public needs to know about the detour before they ever get there.
My brother, Chance Albin, is a longtime truck driver and got stuck in this mess the first day it was closed off. He told me that he just followed whatever signs were posted. He knows the area and wasn't using his GPS, but had no idea about any closures. He also told me that with the Henderson bridge being down to one lane and the massive amounts of construction on the Lloyd and Evansville area, his job has become a total nightmare.
He said he understands that these construction projects are probably approved by different transportation offices, but the lack of communication among these offices has put truckers in a terrible situation.
And he was very clear that whoever is in charge of approving construction projects needs to do a ride-along with a trucker now and then and actually speak to them about what large vehicles need to stay safe. They obviously haven't done much of that lately.
Spencer County Sheriff's Department Issues Warning
The Spencer County Sheriff's Department posted a stern warning to its Facebook page yesterday:
A friendly reminder to semi-truck drivers: please follow the official posted detour. Our county roads were not designed to handle this amount of heavy truck traffic and we will be out strictly enforcing traffic regulations.
County roads are narrow and full of hills, curves, and intersections. Again - if a trucker isn't on Facebook and doesn't see this, they have no idea not to go this way! The department is asking semi drivers to follow the official detour, even though it adds time to their trip. Keep reading for the detour map.
Spencer County Reminds Drivers to Slow Down
The Sheriff's Department also reminded everyone using county roads that speed limits are reduced.
The speed limit on CR 200 W is 35 mph.
Please make sure you're following the posted speed limit signs on CR 200 N and other county roads. Slow down and drive safely. Yes, the Spencer County Sheriff's Department made it clear they are "strictly enforcing traffic regulations."
On top of the fact that these are narrow windy roads, school is also in session, so drivers need to be especially cautious around school buses, bus stops, students and families traveling these roads during school hours. There will also be increased farm equipment and local traffic, along with more vehicles using these roads because of the closure.
The Detour Will Last About 60 Days
Closures and construction are frustrating. This one is going to affect residents, businesses, school traffic, farmers, truck drivers, and everyone traveling through the area for the next couple of months.
This will last through mid-September, so let's work together, slow down and keep our community safe.
What Is the Official Spencer County Detour?
According to INDOT, this road closure will allow for a small structure replacement project. Work is expected to last through mid-September, depending on the weather.
The official detour is:
TRUCKERS, PASSENGER VEHICLES: U.S. 231 → State Road 162 → State Road 62 → State Road 161
Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure.
INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution, and avoid distractions when traveling in and near work zones.
So, Spencer County, you've got about two more months of this.
And for the love, INDOT, please be more aware of who you are serving and do a better job for all of us.
Free and Cheap Things to Do in the Tri-State
Gallery Credit: Ashley Sollars
