Stoplight could ease U.S. 35’s traffic issues

Trucks turning at the Love’s Travel Stop complicate U.S. 35 traffic when speeding vehicles encounter the stopped or slowly moving semis.

Building a convenience store and gas station across the street might address some traffic difficulties by adding a traffic light. U.S. 35 traffic north of Interstate 70 was a concern during the March 26 Richmond Advisory Plan Commission meeting, but Jason Horowitz, a development manager for GBT Realty in Brentwood, Tenn., said the developer has worked with the city and Indiana Department of Transportation for approval of a traffic light. The developer would install the light at its expense.

Horowitz and Eric Carter, a senior project manager for Weihe Engineers in Indianapolis, represented the project that requests zoning at 2477 U.S. 35 be changed from high intensity industrial to highway commercial. That would permit the planned 7-Eleven store with Speedway gas that would have its entrance directly across from the turn for Love’s.

Plan commission members voted 7-0 to recommend the zoning change to Richmond Common Council, which makes the final decision.

Kent Carson, who lives at the U.S. 35 and Tingler Road intersection, opposes the zoning change. He said an additional business would cause more chaos at an already busy intersection. He also pointed out that there are enough gas/convenience store options in the area with a Wawa being built south of I-70 along Williamsburg Pike, a QuikTrip planned for U.S. 27 north of I-70 and two Speedway stations on Chester Boulevard south of I-70.

The U.S. 35/Williamsburg Pike interchange with I-70 is scheduled for a redesign during INDOT’s Revive I-70 project. Plans call for roundabouts north and south of the interchange to eliminate the current looping on- and off-ramps.

Carter said the new store’s plan also includes road improvements with lane additions, such as a right turn lane on U.S. 35 to enter the store. INDOT has accepted the proposals.

The plan includes a 4,816-square-foot building that would sell grab-and-go food items. The fueling areas would have 12 positions for vehicles and four lanes for commercial fueling. There would be parking for 29 vehicles and eight trucks for quick store visits.

Bruce Wissel, chair of the plan commission, noted that the location northeast of U.S. 35 is not within Richmond’s city limits. He asked if annexation for the site is possible so the city would receive gas tax money generated by the gas station. Carson and Horowitz indicated willingness to voluntarily request annexation.

If council grants the zoning change, developers would still need plat approval to split 7.8 acres from the 17.57-acre site; Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals approval for any needed variances, such as for signage; and permits from the city’s department of infrastructure and development.