INDOT, City Announce Plans for Full Cloverleaf at U.S. 41 & Lloyd

EVANSVILLE, IN – The City of Evansville and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) today announced plans to upgrade the U.S. 41 and Lloyd Expressway interchange to a full cloverleaf design.

“The interchange at U.S. 41 and the Lloyd Expressway is one of the busiest intersections in the State of Indiana, and building a full cloverleaf has been a top priority of my Administration because of its significance as a regional traffic link,” said Mayor Lloyd Winnecke. “That is why I am extremely happy to announce that INDOT and the City have reached an agreement that will allow this project to move forward.”

In February of 2011, INDOT announced plans for a partial cloverleaf interchange that would have improved traffic on the Lloyd Expressway but would have resulted in four traffic signals within a one-half-mile stretch of U.S. 41 between Walnut and Virginia streets.

Mayor Winnecke began discussions with INDOT shortly after taking office. It was determined that a major hurdle to building a full cloverleaf was a storm sewer outfall from the interchange north to Pigeon Creek, which was estimated to cost $10-$12 million.

At the Mayor’s direction, the City Engineer’s office developed a similar solution to direct runoff to the Weinbach Avenue main storm sewer outfall, which will result in a cost savings of approximately $8 million.

In addition to the drainage solution, Mayor Winnecke has requested that the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) reprioritize the Lincoln Avenue widening project east of Green River Road, and shift approximately $2.5 million to the U.S. 41/Lloyd interchange. That will give the city more time to address concerns neighbors have regarding the Lincoln Avenue widening project and allow for a local investment in the full cloverleaf interchange.

“Public input is crucial in the development of major transportation projects, and INDOT is being responsive to the feedback of local officials,” said Rusty Fowler, INDOT Vincennes District Deputy Commissioner. “INDOT is grateful to the City of Evansville for their continued support and partnership in delivering important infrastructure projects to the community.”

INDOT is currently obtaining right-of-way for the road project and is scheduled to award a contract in 2013. Construction is tentatively set to begin in 2014.