The U.S. 50 East project involves construction of the eastern half of a bypass around the city of North Vernon in Jennings County. The project was completed in December 2017, which stretches from S.R. 3, north of the city, southeast to U.S. 50. The U.S. 50 bypass reduces congestion in and around North Vernon, improves safety and accessibility, and fulfill local and state planning objectives.
Purpose and Need
There four core problems that the U.S. 50 project addressed are:
- Congestion. There are high levels of traffic congestion through downtown North Vernon.
- Safety. There is a high crash frequency on U.S. 50 through North Vernon.
- Accessibility. An improved transportation network is required to meet the accessibility demands of new employment, as well as residential and economic development.
- Planning. Improvements of U.S. 50 are necessary to maintain consistency with statewide and regional transportation plans.
The purpose of the project is to resolve the four documented transportation problems in the U.S. 50/North Vernon area. Specifically, the project will:
- Reduce congestion along U.S. 50 and S.R. 3/S.R. 7 through and around North Vernon;
- Provide a safer transportation facility for both truck and passenger vehicles through and around North Vernon;
- Provide an efficient transportation link between the existing and growing industrial area on the north side of North Vernon to U.S. 50; and
- Support State and local transportation planning.
Besides the four primary objectives above, the alternatives will also be judged on how well they meet the following non-transportation goals:
- Minimize impacts to environmental and cultural resources.
- Minimize social and economic impacts due to right-of-way acquisitions and relocations.
- Support local community needs and interests.
- Provide a transportation facility consistent with local development plans.