Plans show where one of two roundabouts would be built at the intersection of West Second Street and Community Drive as part of a project that will reconstruct Second Street. The roundabouts, however, recently were removed from the project and no longer will be built. Instead, existing traffic signals at the intersections are going to be replaced.
Submitted photo
A federally funded project to reconstruct a portion of West Second Street in Seymour is moving forward after some major design changes.
The $10.66 million project will no longer include two roundabouts but will still improve intersections at Community Drive and Westgate Road/Airport Road for better traffic flow and pedestrian safety.
Plans call for full-depth pavement reconstruction from Lasher Drive east to Pine Street and resurfacing from Pine Street east to Indianapolis Avenue for a total of 1.25 miles.
The city will conduct a second public information meeting on the project at 5 p.m. Jan. 24 in council chambers at city hall. Those attending should use the Third Street entrance. The meeting will serve as a follow-up to the public meeting held Aug. 18, 2021.
This meeting is only for the West Second Street project, and no other projects will be addressed.
The project is being funded with 80% federal money and a 20% or $2.13 million local match to come from the Seymour Redevelopment Commission.
West Second Street has been a priority of the city for years. Phases were completed in 2016 and 2017. This completes the entire corridor.
As part of the project, the existing sidewalk on the south side of the street will be widened to 5 feet to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. The sidewalk along the north side will be removed and replaced with an 8-foot-wide asphalt multi-use path that will be separated from the roadway by a 5-foot-wide grass buffer strip.
A new storm sewer line and curb inlet structures will be installed to help improve drainage in the area, a problem that residents have dealt with for years.
Another improvement will be the addition of a 280-foot, 12-by-6-foot, four-sided concrete box culvert to replace the existing piping that conveys the Von Fange Ditch under West Second Street.
Existing traffic signals will be replaced at the Community Drive, Walnut Street and Chestnut Street intersections, and new street lighting will be installed along the multi-use path. Existing streetlights are expected to be replaced, too.
Construction, which is slated to begin in 2024, will be completed in stages, allowing the street to be closed blocks at a time. Access to all properties will be maintained during construction. Those impacted by the project, including Seymour Community School Corp. and emergency services, will be notified of potential road closures and detours prior to construction.
The project should be completed by the end of 2024; however, some paving may get carried over to the spring of 2025.