U.S. 36 and Raider Road Roundabout

The intersection of U.S. 36 and Raider Road is a safety concern. The existing intersection has an above-average number of crashes with above-average crash severity in comparison to other intersections with similar traffic volumes.

Many of the crashes at this intersection are right-angle, which are typically more severe and more likely to result in serious injuries or fatalities. Changing the design of the intersection to a roundabout will improve the safety of the intersection by reducing the likelihood of crashes and lessening the severity of crashes.

Overall, a roundabout is the best solution as it reduces the number of potential crash points at an intersection. Roundabouts force drivers to slow down and take more time to judge and react to other vehicles. Roundabouts reduce fatalities by up to 90% and reduce injury crashes by 76%, all while improving capacity and traffic flow.

In the image below, red lines and circles represent the paths of travel and conflict points in a traditional intersection vs. a roundabout. The traditional intersection has 32 conflict points, while the roundabout has only eight conflict points. Because traffic moves through the roundabout in one direction, it eliminates the likelihood head-on and right-angle collisions and reduces the severity of other crashes to minor fender benders or side swipes.

Additional benefits of roundabouts are available on INDOT's Roundabout webpage.

The design of the roundabout at U.S. 36 and Raider Road is designed to accommodate farming equipment and large trucks. The center island of the roundabout will have a sloped, mountable apron (i.e. a gently sloped curb) that large vehicles can drive on if needed, giving more space to safely navigate the roundabout.

INDOT has also accounted for oversize and overweight loads in the design, allowing oversize cargo, like a wind turbine, to traverse center island of the roundabout.

The first rendering below shows a tractor and school bus having plenty of room to navigate the roundabout. The second image shows a modeled path of a 76-foot semi successfully using the roundabout - the pink line shows that the semi is able to navigate the intersection without driving over the center island, while the orange line shows how the center island can be used as additional turning space, if needed.

A roundabout was not the only solution considered to address safety concerns at this location. INDOT also evaluated the possibility of 1) a no-build scenario (leaving the intersection as-is), and 2) a traffic signal.

1. No-Build. The No-Build option – or leaving the intersection as-is – was dismissed as it does not address the safety needs at this intersection.
2. Traffic Signal. While a traffic signal may reduce the number of overall crashes, it would likely increase the severity of crashes. Collisions at traffic signals are often right-angle (T-bone), rear-end, and left-turn crashes. T-bone and left-turn crashes often result in severe damage to vehicles and the most serious injuries and/or fatalities.

In the image below, different types of crashes are shown that often occur at traffic signals. Roundabouts significantly minimize these types of crashes by reducing the number of potential conflict points in an intersection, resulting in less severe crashes, if they do occur.

The roundabout at U.S. 36 and Raider Road will cost approximately $2.4 million. While the initial cost may seem high, a roundabout is more cost-effective in terms of maintenance and other continuing costs when compared to a traditional intersection.

For comparison, a traffic signal has a lower installation cost at about $1.4 million, but there are many continuing maintenance costs that come with signal, including signal cabinets, bulbs, detection loops, and other equipment. A roundabout has no signals to maintain and no equipment to install or repair, saving an average of $5,000 per year on electricity and maintenance costs.

Similarly, a roundabout has a longer lifespan than a signal; the expected service life of a roundabout is 25 years vs. the 10-year service life of signal equipment.

The contract for this project was awarded to Midwest Paving for just under $1.7 million using INDOT’s standard low-bid process. The majority of roundabout construction and paving will take place in 2026, with an expected 70-day intersection closure of U.S. 36 and Raider Road. Construction is anticipated to begin after schools close for the summer, and the roundabout is expected to open to traffic before school resumes in the fall, with minor work continuing through late 2026 as needed. Official detours will be provided on state routes, and access to Shenandoah High School and local drives will be maintained throughout construction.