LAPEL — Early Sunday morning, firefighters from multiple departments joined forces to extinguish a fire at the Brockway-Owens glass manufacturing plant in Lapel.
Visible scorch marks were left along the north side of the building’s roof, with photographs capturing the intense effort as firefighters used aerial equipment to battle the flames.
Jason Renner, assistant chief of the Lapel/Stony Creek Township Fire Department, reported that the first emergency call came in at 6:45 a.m., alerting responders to the commercial fire.
“When crews arrived and saw flames in the roof, a second alarm was issued,” Renner said. “The fire was contained to the north side of the roof. Thankfully, there were no injuries, and we were able to limit damage to that section.”
Firefighters stayed on-site for about five hours, using an aggressive strategy to put out the fire and ensure no further damage occurred.
Several neighboring departments provided critical support, including South Madison Fire Territory, Anderson, Edgewood, Noblesville, Wayne Township (Hamilton County), Vernon Township (Hancock County), and the Madison County Emergency Management Agency.
Editor’s note: The image used with this article is an AI generated photo illustration.
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is planning significant improvements at the intersection of State Road (SR) 32 and County Road (CR) 925 W (Main Street) in Lapel, Indiana. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at Lapel High School, located at 1850 S 900 W, Lapel, IN 46051. The event will begin with an open house at 5:30 pm, followed by a formal presentation at 6:00 pm.
Project Overview
The primary goal of this project is to enhance safety at the SR 32 and CR 925 W intersection, which has experienced a higher-than-average rate of right-angle and rear-end collisions. To address these concerns, INDOT proposes replacing the current two-way stop-controlled intersection with a single-lane roundabout. This design aims to reduce conflict points and improve traffic flow.
Key Features of the Proposed Roundabout
Design Elements: The roundabout will feature 12-foot travel lanes with a combination of open and curbed shoulders. A central island and truck apron will accommodate larger vehicles, and exterior truck aprons will facilitate turning movements.
Drainage Improvements: A drainage basin is planned for the northwest quadrant of the intersection to address water runoff.
Utility Relocations: Relocation of utility poles at the intersection corners will be necessary to accommodate the new design.
Additional Enhancements: The project includes new lighting, pavement markings, signage, and landscaping to improve visibility and aesthetics.
Right-of-Way and Environmental Considerations
Approximately 2.05 acres of permanent right-of-way and 0.18 acres of temporary right-of-way will be required. The project will involve the removal of about 0.9 acres of trees, affecting terrestrial habitats. Due to the disturbance of more than one acre of soil, a Construction Stormwater General Permit (CSGP) will be obtained.
Construction and Traffic Management
Construction is expected to span one season, with phased work and temporary signals on SR 32 to manage traffic. Detours will be established during different phases:
Phase I: Detour routes will include SR 13, CR 925 W, and CR W 100 S.
Phase II: Detours will utilize Main Street and Old SR 13.
These detours may add up to 3.68 miles to commuter travel. INDOT will coordinate with emergency services, local schools, and stakeholders to minimize disruptions.
Public Participation
Residents are encouraged to attend the public hearing to review preliminary design plans and provide feedback. Project materials are available for review at the Lapel Branch Library (610 Main Street, Lapel, IN 46051) and the INDOT Greenfield District Office (32 South Broadway, Greenfield, IN 46140). Comments can be submitted at the hearing or sent by December 5, 2024, to Nicole Minton at Lochmueller Group, Inc., 6200 Vogel Road, Evansville, IN 47715, or via email at Nicole.Minton@lochgroup.com.
This project represents a significant investment in the safety and efficiency of Lapel’s transportation infrastructure. Community involvement is vital to ensure the project’s success and to address any concerns residents may have.
