Times Staff Report

SCHERERVILLE | If you find yourself waiting for the left turn arrow at a couple of intersections in town, there is a good reason.

The Indiana Department of Transportation has adjusted turn signals at nine intersections along U.S. 30 and U.S. 41 in efforts to better move traffic.

An INDOT traffic signal timing analysis showed congestion at nine intersections in Schererville could be alleviated if the left turn signals were switched to "lagging signals."

The study found an average of 27 seconds per vehicle would be saved between 3 and 6 p.m. if the signal timing was improved at nine intersections on U.S. 41 and U.S. 30.

This is what the change has done: Normally, the left turn comes up first, then the through. Now, the through signals come up first, then the left turn signal.

The change prevents left-turning traffic from clogging intersections. Such gridlock was becoming common between the intersections of U.S. 30 and U.S. 41 and U.S. 30 and The Crossroads shopping complex.

The changes were made in accordance with INDOT's four-year schedule to retime all the LaPorte District signals.

Signals in Schererville with new lagging left turns include:

Northbound U.S. 41 onto Willowbrook Drive.

Southbound U.S. 41 onto 65th Avenue North.

Southbound U.S. 41 onto 67th Street North.

Southbound U.S. 41 at the light near The Crossroads shopping complex.

Westbound U.S. 30 onto U.S. 41

Southbound U.S. 41 onto U.S. 30.

Eastbound U.S. 30 into The Crossroads shopping complex between Walgreens and Wal-Mart.

Eastbound U.S. 30 onto Joliet Road.

Eastbound U.S. 30 onto Fountain Park Drive.

Westbound U.S. 30 onto Janice Drive.