Watch your speed in Ft. Branch | Transportation

There will be a reduced speed limit in the construction areas of 45 MPH and Indiana State Police will be monitoring the work zones as crews continue to work on U.S. 41.

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) recently awarded a $4.9 million road resurfacing project in Gibson County.  

This project will include slip liner installation into drainage pipes under U.S. 41, removal of median cross-overs at 7 locations within the project limits, turn lane and radii improvements at the intersections of U.S. 41 and S.R. 168 and at U.S. 41 and C.R. 350 North (Toyota), rebuilding the exit ramp from U.S. 41 north bound to S.R. 64 east bound, deep patching the roadway in areas, milling off approximately 1 ½ inches of existing roadway and resurfacing the road.

Currently utility company crews are working in the area of U.S. 41 and S.R. 168 in Fort Branch relocating their utility lines.  Contractor’s crews began placing construction warning and speed limit signs this week.  TStarting the week of April 2, crews will begin placing slip liners in drainage structures under U.S. 41.  No permanent lane restrictions will be required during this operation, however, there may be temporary restrictions as equipment and materials are delivered to their work location.

Crews will then begin work on removing the median cross-overs.  During this time, the inside passing lane of both north and south bound U.S. 41 will need to be closed to allow equipment to remove pavement next to the roadway.  It is anticipated this work will take two weeks, weather permitting.  Locations of median removal include at Mulberry Street, south of Oak Street, Walnut Street, Vine Street, Sinclair Street and Iroquois Drive in Fort Branch and at Old U.S. 41 north of Toyota.

The next phase of construction will include the construction of turn lanes at the U.S. 41 and S.R. 168 intersection.  A dedicated right turn lane will be constructed for east bound S.R. 168 traffic to U.S. 41 south bound and for west bound S.R. 168 traffic to U.S. 41 north bound.  The turning radii will be improved for north bound U.S. 41 traffic turning right onto east bound S.R. 168.  The traffic signal at the intersection will be improved to incorporate the new lanes of traffic.

As work progresses, a more defined time table will be established for the work at U.S. 41 and C.R. 350 N, ramp reconstruction at S.R. 64, as well as the patching operation, milling and paving.  The contract completion date for this project is November 30, 2012, weather permitting.

The work at the intersection of U.S. 41 and C.R. 350 N includes the creation of a dedicated right turn lane for north bound U.S. 41 traffic on to east bound C.R. 350 N, dedicated right turn lane from west bound C.R. 350 N to north bound U.S. 41 and the addition of a second left turn only lane for south bound U.S. 41 to east bound C.R. 350 N.  The traffic signals will also be upgraded to include the additional lanes of traffic.

The reconstruction work for the exit ramp from U.S. 41 to east bound S.R. 64 will take place under traffic; however, a short term closure will take place as the new ramp is tied in to the existing roadway.  During this closure traffic will utilize the other ramps at the interchange to loop around to reach east bound S.R. 64.

During the patching, milling and paving operation a 12-wide lane restriction will be in place.  While crews are performing the milling and paving portion of the project, the contractor will utilize a rolling operation.  It will be contained to one lane in one direction at a time.  The milling machine will operate approximately ½ mile in advance of the paving equipment allowing the amount of exposed roadway to a minimum during the operation.