Tanker Crash Raises Concerns About Highway Safety

INDIANAPOLIS -- Thursday's massive tanker fire and explosion on Indianapolis' northeast side has raised new concerns about highway safety.

Wrecks involving tractor-trailers are a regular occurrence on entrance and exit ramps across the city's interstate system, 6News' Joanna Massee reported.

Wednesday, a truck overturned in the middle of Interstate 465 near Interstate 74, followed by Thursday's fiery crash involving a tanker carrying liquid propane that crashed on I-465 at Interstate 69.

The Indiana Department of Transportation had already planned to reconstruct and widen about eight miles of I-465 and three miles of I-69 in the area prior to the crash.

But officials told Massee that efficiency, not safety, was the driving force behind the planned overhaul.

"The main reason why it's being rebuilt is because of traffic flow and the lifespan of the pavement,” said INDOT spokesman Will Wingfield.

However, the project's Web site emphasizes safety as the primary reason for rebuilding the aging ramps.

"The goal of the 465/69 Northeast project is to improve safety and increase mobility on I-465 and I-69 in northeastern Marion County," states the Web site, which also cites a study that found "crash rates on I-465 and I-69 … were higher than the statewide crash rates at urban interstates."

Some drivers said they've long been concerned with safety on that stretch of highway.

"After what happened yesterday, I'm kind of worried about it," said driver Brittany Barker. "I've seen a lot of accidents along that ramp actually, so I don’t really feel like it's that safe."

The I-465 and I-69 project will cost more than $500 million and is scheduled to begin in 2012.

More Information: INDOT Project Details