A Thru-cut is a type of at-grade intersection where the through movements on the side street are prohibited, requiring drivers to turn left or right onto the main roadway and use other intersections to cross. U-turn locations can also be provided to allow drivers to turn around and make a right turn onto the side street, similar to median U-turn intersections (RCI, RCUT, or Boulevard Left Turn). Installation of a thru-cut intersection is ideal where the side street through movement has relatively low volume, and where major roadway traffic flow should be prioritized.
Thru-cut intersections provide multiple safety and operational benefits over a traditional intersection. Removing the side street through movements removes conflict points from the intersection, reducing the probability of crashes. Additionally, a traffic signal can operate more efficiently with the removal of the phase typically dedicated to the side street through movement. This means less delay for side street turning movements, and better traffic flow for vehicles traveling on the main roadway.
While INDOT does not have any thru-cut intersections on the state roadway system, there are multiple locations across the state where they are being considered as potential safety and operational improvements.
