Two major road projects will delay Greenwood traffic in the next two weeks, but the city is determined to have them done before its largest annual event.
Starting today, crews will begin work to repair parts of the pavement around the Smith Valley Road and Madison Avenue roundabout, and completely overhaul a road in the Center Grove area.
It is a coincidence that both projects are being done at the same time, said Daniel Johnston, city engineer.
The city planned the roundabout repairs around two major events — Our Lady of the Greenwood’s summer festival this past Saturday and the Freedom Festival June 29. It has to be done before then, Johnston said.
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In recent testing conducted by INDOT of the city’s newest roundabout, which cost $2.9 million and took six months to build, surveyors found that the surface layer of the asphalt did not meet the state’s density standards in certain areas. The contractor that did the work must repave several areas, including parts of the road inside the roundabout, Smith Valley west of U.S. 31, and parts of the Smith Valley and Meridian Street intersection, Johnston said.
"This is in a few different locations sprinkled around the project area," he said.
In a letter the city received from the contractor, they said the pavement appeared to perform normally at the time of placement, Johnston said.
That work will be done between today and June 27, but the milling and paving will be done entirely overnight in an attempt to lessen the impact on traffic. Those three busy intersections — Smith Valley and U.S. 31, Smith Valley and Madison, and Smith Valley and Meridian — see about 30,000 cars daily.
Weather delays or equipment failure could lead to lane restrictions during the day, but the city’s hope is that those restrictions will be limited to the overnight hours, he said.
During the nighttime hours, lane restrictions will vary.
"It will be very fluid. It really is going to depend on where the crew will be working each night," Johnston said.
That work is being done at no cost to the city. The contractor is responsible for all of it, he said.
On the other side of town, Honey Creek Road, between Tracy Road and Stones Crossing, will be closed starting Tuesday until June 27.
Honey Creek will be closed further south, to Smokey Row Road, with no access to Tracy Road, today. Plans indicate crews will attempt to complete that small portion of the road between Tracy and Smokey Row first so that drivers have access to Smokey Row and Tracy for the remainder of the project, Johnston said.
The city is completing a full-depth reclamation of Honey Creek, which means digging up and replacing the road.
That project will cost $447,000, with half of that funding coming from INDOT, he said.
Several signs will inform drivers of detours around both projects, Johnston said.
"Our biggest message to folks right now is be patient and pay attention to construction signs," he said.
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Here is a look at detours around two upcoming Greenwood road projects:
Honey Creek Road closed between Smokey Row Road and Stones Crossing Road
When: Today
Detour: Use State Road 135 to Stones Crossing to the north, or Whiteland Road to the south
Important to note: No access to Tracy Road from Honey Creek or Smokey Row
Honey Creek Road closed between Tracy Road and Stones Crossing Road
When: Tuesday through June 27
Detour: Use State Road 135 to Stones Crossing to the north, or Smokey Row and Tracy to the south
Repaving work in the areas of Smith Valley Road and U.S. 31, Madison Avenue and Meridian Street
When: Today through June 27
Possible detour: Main Street
Important to note: No complete closures; lane restrictions during the overnight hours.
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