Published: October 30, 2009 05:42 pm      

Road work nears completion — finally

BROWNSBURG — A road project that was supposed to last about a year has now stretched into almost two years, but officials say the end is in sight.

Anyone in Brownsburg that lives or works north of I-74 on State Road 267 knows just how long the road improvement project has taken on the .7-mile stretch of roadway.

The project began in the spring of 2008 and was originally scheduled to be completed this June. Construction stretched from one-tenth of a mile north of I-74 to a half mile north of I-74. It included intersection improvements and signal modernization at County Road 700 North and has continued the four lanes to north of County Road 700 North. A concrete center curb was also added.

Indiana Department of Transportation Public Information Director Debbie Calder said there were some unforeseen utility delays that were part of the problem. She said that is the reason the project won’t be completely finished until the beginning of November.

“We don’t want to point fingers at anybody, but I believe (the town) extended some time due to the contractor being delayed due to utilities being relocated,” Calder said.

Town Manager Jim Waggoner said there were some issues with utility locations, but not on the town’s behalf.

“Our utilities were out of the way early and there were a lot of utilities in there,” he said. “The indication that the project caused everyone to get was that it was a filler job. If they didn’t have some place else for you to go, you could come out here and work. That’s pretty much what we think of it.”

Now, most of the work is completed, including paving the asphalt mainlines. Calder said the only things left to finish up are part of the sidewalks and signal work at C.R. 700 N.

“There is at least one day left of concrete work on the sidewalks and they still have to install the traffic loops at the signal at (C.R.) 700 and then placing sod behind the curb work,” she said. “(The project engineer) said he thought it should all be done within two weeks.”

The signal work would be the only part of the work that would cause delays, she said.

“There will still just be daytime lane restrictions when they put the loops in, so there might be some minor traffic delays, but it’s nearing completion,” Calder said.

The project is a Major Moves program and has been sparking controversy for the residents of Brownsburg since the end of last year, when its original completion date was extended from June to October.

When INDOT officials held a public information meeting about the proposed construction on S.R. 267 from 56th Street to Sycamore Street on the south end of town, many of the opponents of the proposed construction cited the length and problems with the construction north of the interstate.

“It’s obviously been a tough project, not only for INDOT, but the entire Brownsburg community in that area and it was well, well, well overdue,” Waggoner said.

Businesses in the area were also affected by the project.

“It’s caused a lot of havoc,” Waggoner said. “We were already under the financial crunch of the economy and this just worsened it even more. I really feel for those (businesses). It had to be a hindrance to the businesses. People avoided (that area of town). I know I did.”

Despite the problems with the project, Waggoner said he was pleased to see the work being completed. He added that it has already made a difference in the flow of traffic in town.

“It has made a huge difference in the north end of town,” he said. “It’s even made a difference down here by town hall. It’s a big improvement. I’m glad it’s done.”

charlee.beasor@flyergroup.com