Touching Base with Four Johnson County Communities on their Summer Road Projects
Greenwood, Franklin, Whiteland and Bargersville have been putting their construction crews to work with several road projects beginning and wrapping up this summer. Here is a look at the latest updates from each of these vibrant Johnson County communities.
Greenwood
“We’re doing a lot of residential streets all over the city,” said Kevin Steinmetz, Capital Projects Manager for the City of Greenwood.
“We have about $4 million for road projects and general paving. They are split into two major projects, the Community Crossing which is half funded by the state and is substantially complete with about 23 street sections done, and we are getting ready to start the second half of our summer work which is the 2024 Annual Paving Project.”
- Market Plaza Phase 1 Construction: Greenwood is enhancing Market Plaza with new sidewalks on both sides, connecting Old City Park to City Center Park. Lane closures at Pleasant Creek Bridge have started and the project will take about three weeks, weather permitting.
- Averitt & Smith Valley Roundabout: Utility relocation work is underway ahead of the roundabout project, set to begin in 2025. Expect lane restrictions, but roads will stay open.
- Street Projects: Several local streets are being improved as part of the 2024 Annual Paving Program and the 2023 Community Crossings Grant. Mill and overlay work will enhance travel on 22 streets. In addition, 10 alleys in Old Town will receive improvements.
Franklin
Franklin is also busy with road projects this summer, focusing on improving traffic flow and safety for residents and visitors according to the Daily Journal.
- Earlywood and Graham Roundabout: Construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of Graham Road and Earlywood Drive began in July. The project, costing $2 million and partly funded by a $213,000 READI grant, will last approximately 70 days. The official detour route is U.S. 31, Paul Hand Road, and Hurricane Road.
- I-65 Lane Reductions: Night-time lane closures on I-65 between Edinburgh and Franklin are scheduled to start for milling and paving. The $7.3 million project by E&B Paving will reduce lanes to one in both directions from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., lasting up to eight weeks.
- Concrete repairs on North Main Street near Lochry Subdivision.
- Pavement markings refreshed on North Main Street between Jefferson Street and U.S. 31.
Whiteland
“The Community Crossings project will include repaving West St and Pearl St along with new sidewalks, curbs, driveway approaches and storm drains,” said Carmen Young, Director of Administration for the Town of Whiteland.
“We will also be widening Graham Rd from Whiteland Rd to the southern Town limits. This project will be coordinated in conjunction with the new roundabout at the intersection of Paul Hand Blvd and Graham Rd that is a collaborative project between the City of Franklin, Town of Whiteland and Johnson County.”
- Graham Road Widening and Roundabout: Starting in September, with an expected completion by the end of October. The 60-day roundabout closure will have detours in place.
- Subdivision Project: Set to begin in early August, focusing on repaving and sidewalk enhancements.
Bargersville
Bargersville is enhancing its infrastructure with several key projects aimed at improving utilities, drainage, and overall road conditions.
- West Street and North Street: Crews are replacing outdated utilities and improving drainage, with a complete street replacement including curbs and sidewalks. Main work will finish by year-end, with some final grading and seeding possibly delayed until spring. This is Phase 1, with hopes to extend the project south to Old South Street next year.
- Public Sidewalks and Accessible Ramps: Ongoing upgrades throughout the town.
- Three-Notch Neighborhood Stormwater Project: Planned improvements include better drainage and street patching/replacement in impacted areas.