The Indiana Department of Transportation recently announced a couple of major road closures in Jackson County are scheduled to start — weather permitting — Wednesday.
INDOT contractor Dave O’Mara Contractor Inc. is continuing work on a $6.3 million asphalt resurface project on U.S. 50 (Tipton Street) in Seymour. Overnight restrictions began in the spring between Agrico Lane and Community Drive.
As part of this work, Walnut Street will close at U.S. 50 on or after Wednesday for pavement removal and replacement. The south side of the intersection will close first (State Road 11), followed by the north side.
The closure is scheduled to begin during predawn hours. Walnut Street is anticipated to reopen by end of day Thursday.
Once work is complete at Walnut Street, the contractor will close Pine Street at U.S. 50 for additional pavement replacement. Drivers should use an alternate route to access Schneck Medical Center during these closures. Overnight lane restrictions will continue on U.S. 50 throughout the fall.
Also set to start Wednesday is a chip seal operation on State Road 250 between U.S. 50 in Brownstown and U.S. 31 in Uniontown.
Road closures are planned on State Road 250 between State Road 39 and U.S. 31 while work is in progress. The road will close daily from approximately 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Access for local residents will be maintained. Thru traffic should use an alternate route.
Chip seal work typically lasts three to four days per location depending upon weather. During operations, existing pavement is coated with liquid asphalt, which seals cracks and provides waterproof protection. This extends the service life of the roadway and lowers maintenance costs.
Once the seal coat is complete, loose aggregate is applied and swept from the road. After a curing period, crews will return to fog seal the new driving surface and apply pavement markings.
Chip seal is a cost-effective pavement preservation technique utilized across the state, saving an estimated $6 to $14 in taxpayer expenditures for every dollar invested in extending the life of a roadway, according to INDOT.
Also, CSX Railroad plans to close U.S. 50 next week to replace a railroad crossing in Seymour.
On or after the morning of July 11, U.S. 50 will close to traffic between Jeffersonville Avenue and East/Circle streets. The road is expected to reopen the afternoon of July 13, weather permitting. The detour will follow State Road 11 to State Road 250 to Interstate 65.
INDOT contractor Force Construction Co. also plans to close State Road 135 at the bridge over Branch of Kiper Creek on or after Monday for a superstructure replacement project in Jackson County.
The bridge is located 2.68 miles north of State Road 58 near County Road 890N and is expected to remain closed for approximately 65 days. The official detour will follow State Road 58, State Road 258, State Road 11, I-65 and State Road 46.
The $4.5 million contract also includes a deck overlay, superstructure replacement and four box culvert replacements on State Road 135, State Road 258 and State Road 58.
INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions in and near construction zones. All work is weather-dependent, and schedules are subject to change.