US421/SR18 construction ahead of schedule
Comet staff report

Improvements at the intersection of US421 and SR18 are ahead of schedule according to Indiana Department of Transportation. Of eight phases, phase 1A was completed a few days ago. Workers moved into Phase 1B last Friday.

Phase 1A consisted of excavation and replacement of the existing westbound SR18 shoulder and the construction of a new lane, onto which traffic was shifted. The plan for Phase 1B is to do the same to the eastbound SR18 shoulder.

Phase 1C will include milling the existing pavement SR18 - in the middle of where traffic will be flowing on the newly constructed lanes - and replacing it at the new grade. Plans call for Phase 1C to begin in approximately three weeks.

During the past month, work on Phase 2 was also begun. That phase includes excavating where a new section of US421 will tee into SR18.

The project is approximately 30 percent complete, with only about 20 percent of the days used. Construction is scheduled to be completed by November.

INDOT reminded motorists to be aware of work zone speed limits and to drive safely on Indiana roadways.