Viaduct detours set to handle festival traffic

By GARY MOYERS
Staff Writer 

Visitors arriving in Danville for this weekend’s Great American Brass Band Festival are finding normal access routes to the Centre College campus not so normal this year. 

Drivers who normally use the viaduct into downtown Danville have been forced to take alternate routes this summer due to construction on the bridge, leading to more traffic on Maple Avenue and through surrounding subdivisions.

Beginning today, drivers will receive advance notification of the detour in the form of state-operated road signs. 

Two illuminated, mobile traffic alert signs have been placed on either side of the Maple Avenue and U.S. 127 intersection to alert motorists that Maple Avenue is one of the primary alternate routes for drivers who normally take the viaduct. 

“We use those signs to give notification that there is a detour and that the bridge is closed,” said David Thacker, public information officer for the District 7 office of the state Department of Transportation. “Those signs will be turned on today to inform drivers Maple Avenue is one alternate route available.” 

Danville Assistant Police Chief Jay Newell said his department has stepped up its presence in the affected area since the closing of the viaduct. 

“We’re going to have extra officers working special detail in the affected areas, just as we have since the bridge closed,” he said. “Those officers are available to not only enforce the traffic regulations, but to offer assistance to our out-of-town guests who may need directions.” 

Newell said traffic has increased on some of the side streets in the area, particularly on Lannock Drive. 

“Many drivers are cutting through some of the subdivisions, particularly Lannock Drive, thinking it might be faster,” said Newell. “I’m not all that sure it’s faster with the 25 mile- per-hour speed limit and the curves, but it’s a fact we’ve issued more citations there since the bridge closure.”

Newell said the bottom line is for drivers to remain patient and to ask for help when it is needed. 

“We’re there to help, and we want to help,” he said. “We’re asking that drivers be patient with the alternate routes, and look for directional signs that are available. The two from the state will help a great deal.” 

He added that his hope is for visitors this weekend to Danville to leave with pleasant impressions of the community. 

“We want the festival to be memorable for great brass band music, not traffic problems,” he said. “It’s our job to alleviate any problems caused by the detours.” 

This story ran in the Advocate on June 13, 2003.