<p><strong>E</strong>astview Drive, the bypass used to get motorists and semi-trucks around Franklin without going through downtown, is closing today for a whirlwind summer construction project.</p>
<p>A roundabout is being built at the intersection with Upper Shelbyville Road, in front of Needham Elementary School, while students are on summer break. The project is set to be finished July 31.</p>
<p>Here’s what the closure means: Residents of subdivisions on Upper Shelbyville Road can use Paris Drive to get to King Street to come downtown or to Interstate 65. Residents and drivers north of the roundabout construction will use Hurricane Road and Forsythe Street.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
<p>Semi-trucks are not allowed on the detour routes, and face a major change during the eight-week project. All semis getting off the interstate in Franklin will be forced to drive east to the industrial park, and not allowed to drive west into the city, Mayor Steve Barnett said.</p>
<p>Any semi that needs to come into Franklin, or access the industrial businesses on Eastview Drive or Arvin or Hurricane roads or U.S. 31 have to exit the interstate in Whiteland or Edinburgh and use U.S. 31 to come to Franklin.</p>
<p>The Indiana Department of Transportation is posting signs about the change on the interstate, and a Franklin police officer will be stationed at the exit next week to make sure no trucks head west on King Street, Barnett said.</p>
<p>Not all roundabout construction projects require full closure of the intersection. But leaving part of the intersection open to traffic during construction results in the work taking longer to complete, Barnett said. City and school officials want the work completed and the intersection open before school starts on Aug. 8, so a full closure of Upper Shelbyville Road and Eastview Drive is necessary.</p>
<p>He said he is committed to the city enforcing the route mapped out for semi-trucks so that semis do not drive through subdivisions or neighborhoods while trying to get through the city.</p>
<p>The roundabout is one of three being built on the bypass. Another roundabout is already under construction at Eastview Drive and King Street. The new intersections will make traffic flow better for semis traveling to industrial properties.</p>
<p>The projects are just part of a record number of public infrastructure projects underway in the city this summer. Portions of King and Jefferson streets are under construction and closed, alleys are being paved, a trail including pedestrian bridges is being built along Eastview Drive, and Brookhaven Drive is being extended.</p>
<p>The roundabout costs $1.8 million, with city funds covering 60 percent of the cost.</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="At a glance" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>Road closed</p>
<p>The intersection of Upper Shelbyville Road and Eastview Drive is closing today through July 31 for a roundabout construction project.</p>
<p>The detour routes are for all traffic except semi-trucks.</p>
<p><ul><li>From Upper Shelbyville Road east of the intersection, use Paris Drive to get to King Street.</li><li>From Eastview Drive south of the intersection, use King Street, Milford Drive, Jefferson and Forsythe streets and Hurricane Road</li></ul></p>[sc:pullout-text-end]
