If you have spent any time traveling around Greencastle, odds are you've been frustrated with the amount of traffic and construction around town.
With that being the case, Greencastle Police deputy chief Ed Wilson has advice for motorists.
"My advice for motorists in Greencastle right now is to be patient, and to give yourself extra time to get where you're going. Find alternative routes, if available, and pay attention to one way signs. Also, remember GPS may not always recognize that streets are closed or one way, so be prepared to deal with that. Be neighborly and forgiving and be prepared to give direction to those that may be lost," Wilson told The Putnam County Post.
The issues are not just confined to U.S. 231, according to Wilson.
"We see a lot of semi tractor/trailers that end up going the wrong way on Bloomington because their GPS directs them. Be prepared for INDOT to be manually directing traffic in areas. Also follow the Greencastle Police Facebook page, we try to update the public on road closures and congestions when they occur," Wilson said.
With construction all over town, as well as DePauw back in session, Greencastle Police are out in full force, Wilson said.
"GPD has been patrolling the construction areas looking for wrong way drivers, speeders and lost persons. With DePauw back in session, we have observed an increase in out of town folks getting lost. A lot of our time has been spent on Bloomington Street alone watching for wrong way drivers, and those that are getting lost. Officers have become proficient in giving directions through town to get around construction," Wilson said.
Wilson said the construction hasn't been the primary reason for accidents, but instead, they can be traced back to inattention by drivers, abrupt turning or being lost.
"Only a few wrong way crashes have been reported. A big problem is the increase of traffic on side streets such as Percy Julian, Walnut and Locust due to folks trying to get around. Be aware of the increase and watch for increases in traffic," he said.
And, with construction slated to last for a while, Wilson said there is no "magic solution to these problems."
"Construction is here whether we like it or not and we all have to bear with it and get through as safely and efficiently as we can. Also remember that the Police have to deal with the construction as well. It is taking us longer to get to complaints and emergencies," Wilson said.
Get the most recent Putnam County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to putnamcountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.
