July 12, 1991

Construction slows emergency response time

       Firefighters in northern Johnson County are getting the “runaround.”  With two major intersections closed for reconstruction of Ind. 135 and a county bridge out, driving via alternate routes is often the only way for Greenwood and White River fire departments to respond to emergencies.  Michelle Speck, information specialist for the state Department of Transportation, said Fry Road will be closed at Ind. 135 for nearly three months.  Ind. 135 is unaffected because two new lanes are now in use by northbound and southbound motorists.  The west side of Smith Valley Road’s intersection with Ind. 135 Is expected to be open soon, possibly next week, she added.  Construction of a new bridge on Runyon Road may be completed in November, depending on weather, county highway officials report.  However, help is on the way at Greenwood, and White River has been getting assistance.  “I have been in conversation with Perry Township (fire department) about doing some mutual response.” said Greenwood Fire Chief Paul Kite. “I think that is a possibility for the Interim period because they aren’t inhibited by traffic problems.”  As a result of the Fry Road closing this week, firefighters from Greenwood’s No. 2 station on Fry Road can’t go west to Ind. 135 to answer calls in the area east of Ind. 135 between Pleasant Run Creek and County Line Road.  Fire trucks must be driven east to U.S. 31, north to County Line Road and west to the area. Kite said this will add to the city’s response time on emergency calls, but he isn’t sure by how much.  Perry township has a station on Ind. 35 about 1 ½ miles north of County Line Road.  “That would be a pretty easy response for them,” Kite noted.  White River Volunteer Fire Department has a similar problem. The department’s lone station is on Runyon Road south of Smith Valley Road.  The bridge on Runyon Road that is closed is south of the fire station.  With the bridge out and the west side of Smith Valley Road closed at Ind. 135, fire trucks can’t go north or south to roads that connect with Ind. 135 to answer calls south of the station. Fire Chief Rusty Allanson said White Rivers trucks divert west on Smith Valley to Morgantown Road to get to fires south.  To get to emergencies north along Ind. 135. White River’s vehicles must go north on Runyon and west on Smith Valley to Peterman Road, then north to Fairview Road to go east to Ind. 135.   (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

 
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