Batesville residents voice opposition to proposed S.R. 46 lane reduction

Public hearing held at Batesville High School Monday

(BATESVILLE, Ind.) – It was nearly standing-room only at a public hearing regarding the future of State Road 46 in Batesville on Monday night.

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is considering a lane reduction to reduce the highway from four lanes to two lanes, with a two-way center turn lane.

INDOT began the meeting with a video presentation that detailed the proposed project. You can watch the presentation by clicking the media player above. 

Officials say the purpose of the project is to improve aging pavement while also enhancing safety. 

“Between 2021 and 2023 there were 95 crashes along State Road 46 between Hillcrest Estates Drive and Fisherman Road, including 25 crashes involving injuries,” an INDOT spokesperson said. 

INDOT said construction would begin in 2026 and the project cost is estimated around $3.6 million. 

Following the video presentation, the hearing turned to public comment and the first person to walk to the podium was Batesville Mayor John Irrgang. 

Irrgang told the audience that he approached INDOT in August about the idea of roadway reconfiguration due to safety concerns. 

“People have asked me why I get to make this decision, I don’t get to make this decision. But, if I think we have a public safety issue it is my responsibility to address that, which is simply what I did,” Irrgang said. 

After the mayor spoke, more than a dozen Batesville residents and business owners took to the podium. Nearly all of them voiced opposition to the project.

Opponents expressed several concerns including traffic flow, the impact on local businesses, a lack of awareness about the project, and the impact on emergency response times. Some also urged INDOT to consider other alternatives. 

There were a few pivotal moments during the meeting. One of them came when Donald Dickey, Jr., of Batesville, took to the podium.

Dickey referenced conversations he has had with other residents who have asked him, “Why should I come to this meeting if it is already a done deal?” 

He then asked INDOT directly, “Is this already a done deal and will happen?”

An INDOT spokesperson responded by saying the public hearing was part of a review process and nothing has been finalized as of yet. 

A short time later, the crowd was asked to raise their hand if they’re against the lane reduction project. This was the result:

There were several elected officials who voiced objection to the proposed project including Batesville council members Melissa Tucker, Darrick Cox and Brad Dryer, along with Indiana State Senator Jean Leising. 

“The State is not flush with money right now as our revenue forecast is down. Honestly, when I saw that figure of $3 million for the project, I thought, why would we do that. We all know there are other roads in need of repair,” State Senator Leising said. 

Leising also said that she has received numerous inquiries about the project while adding, “It would've been nice to have had this meeting earlier than this.”

Following the meeting we spoke with Batesville resident Terry Messerschmidt who has been outspoken against the project. Here is her reaction to the public hearing:

Batesville resident Terry Messerschmidt reacts to INDOT hearing

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What’s Ahead:

INDOT is still accepting public comment until May 20 by both email or mail. All public comment will be taken under consideration prior to moving forward. 

You can email AMikrut@indot.IN.gov or send mail to:

INDOT

Attn: Andrea Mikrut

185 Agrico Lane

Seymour, IN 47274