By FRED SWIFT
The cycle of freezing and thawing weather has been hard on road surfaces and “probably worse than last year,” according to County Highway Director Brad Davis. But, patching crews are working daily and the recent opening of “hot mix” asphalt plants will serve to assist in the effort to provide more permanent patching, Davis says.
The county highway department is responsible for about 560 miles of roadways, mostly in central and northern Hamilton County. Carmel and Fishers have now taken over control of most roads in the southern part of the county through annexation.
Beyond patching, the county is planning the resurfacing of some roads this year. The county is awaiting word this month on its request for $1 million from the Indiana Department of Transportation which will allow a larger resurfacing program, Davis notes.
Besides normal road repairs and repaving, the highway department will continue the massive improvement of State Road 37 designed to eliminate grade level intersections between Noblesville and Interstate 69.
Also set to get underway is the state’s rebuilding of the intersection of 276th Street and U.S. 31, a project in which the county is cooperating. Eventually, 276th Street will become a major east-west thoroughfare from State Road 19 to Sheridan.
County Highway is also building a roundabout at 191st Street and Grassy Branch Board near Westfield in an attempt to improve traffic flow in that growing area. And, a new bridge is to be built this year on 266th Street over Cicero Creek.
And, in a non-motorized trail project, work will get underway this year on the Steven Nation Greenway between Cicero and Koteewi Park near Strawtown.