Landowner urges Evansville to fix steep approaches on new Wildcat Road

At the council’s public comment period, property owner Luke Ginsbach said recent construction on the new Wildcat Road left several lot approaches unusable, with steep angles causing trailers and low‑profile cars to scrape and preventing semis from entering.

Ginsbach said the problem affects multiple lots he owns and described an instance when a trailer became stuck with tires off the ground, damaging the road. He told council he had emailed photos to the town clerk and that some nearby approaches had already been adjusted while his had not. “It’s a very large inconvenience. We can’t get our semi,” he said, asking the town to work with him to identify solutions.

Town engineer Shane Porter and other staff explained that retrofitting a wider paved road onto existing lot grades can create vertical‑curve and crown issues, noted constraints such as existing pipes and gas lines, and suggested possible remedies including removing some fill from the lots, lowering gates, changing approach locations, or limited grading. Porter said staff would work with Ginsbach to survey the lots and determine the best solution but cautioned that fixes may take time and that tearing up the road or raising its grade could create other problems.

What to expect Staff said they will coordinate with Ginsbach to survey the lots and review approaches; any physical work — grading, gate adjustments or utility relocations — will require design, possible permits, and time. Residents concerned about access should follow up with the town clerk and engineering staff.

Transcript note Ginsbach said he provided photos to the town clerk and Shane Porter; the transcript records the exchange and staff acknowledgment that they will pursue a solution.