Firefighters concerned about removal of stoplight at Grimm Road and State Road 66

WARRICK COUNTY, Ind. (WEHT) — Two heavily traveled intersections have drastically different traffic patterns in Warrick County.

The Indiana Department of Transportation opened the displaced left turn lanes at Epworth Road and State Road 66, after months of construction. INDOT also removed a stoplight up the road from the new intersection, at Grimm Road and State Road 66. INDOT officials say the light was temporary and put there to ensure traffic flow during construction on the displaced left turn. Now that it is gone, the Ohio Township Fire Department says it is concerned about the public’s safety.

“It was easier when we were responding through there, especially if we had to turn onto Grimm Road. We can get traffic stopped easier with that light,” says Battalion Chief Chris Wagener.

The fire department says it was hoping the light would be a permanent fixture at Grimm Road and State Road 66. But after INDOT completed the construction at Epworth Road, transportation officials removed it.

“We want to make sure we are doing our due diligence to make sure it is warranted,” says Gary Brian, the Public Relations Director of INDOT Southwest.

INDOT says the intersection does not meet the criteria required to place a permanent traffic light. We don’t want to just leave the lights up there and we now don’t have the traffic on Grimm because of the changed traffic pattern, and now we are stopping traffic on State Road 66 in two spots,” Brian says.

“We understand that they have rules to follow… but we disagree,” says Battalion Chief Wagener.

The fire department says the light significantly decreased its call volume to the intersection.

“I cannot tell you the last time we made a run there. Before the light, we did go to quite a few wrecks. Some of them were serious and major,” says Wagener.

The intersection now has stop signs with flashing lights at where Grimm Road intersects with State Road 66. Although it does grab the drivers’ attention, the fire department says it is not enough.

“Having a light there provides a level of safety of those trying to cross Grimm, either over 66 or on 66,” Wagener says.

INDOT says it will monitor the intersection and in case they need to put the light back up.

“We are keeping an eye on Grimm. That is why we are keeping the infrastructure in place, because if it does reach that standard if the traffic counts rise, it is a pretty easy fix,” Brian says.

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