Board approves right‑turn lane and intersection marking changes recommended by police and engineering

The Valparaiso Board of Works approved two traffic safety changes recommended by the engineering and police departments: converting a southbound shared through/right lane at Washington Street and U.S. 30 to right‑turn only, and adding a right‑turn lane at the Valparaiso High School entrance while relocating a bike lane to accommodate a new 10‑foot path.

Engineering staff member Max described the first recommendation as a change at the Washington Street/US‑30 intersection where “they are in favor of changing the southbound west most lane from a through and right turn lane to be right turn only.” He said the change was made “by recommendation of our police department” and explained the lane change aims to reduce speeding and unsafe merging as traffic narrows.

On the second item Max said the school resource officer requested a right‑turn only lane at the Valpo High School entrance on Valparaiso Park Road. He said planned construction of a 10‑foot pathway south of the curb line would allow the city to “relocate the right away to remove the bike lanes from Valpo Park Road and then provide a designated right turn only lane.” The board discussed pavement markings and confirmed the right‑turn markings would be added; a question about marking the center lane as straight was answered by Max that “it won't, but it's not typical for, through marking to be put down.”

The board moved, seconded and approved both safety recommendations by voice vote.

Why it matters: the changes reflect police input and planned pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure and will alter how motorists, cyclists and pedestrians use the corridors.