The $2.23 million repaving of East 25th Street is scheduled to be completed either Wednesday or Thursday.
However, county officials say they are still not sure what to expect on the same road regarding the possible closing of the concrete bridge over Clifty Creek.
On Monday, the Bartholomew County Commissioners signed a contract with Force Construction Co. to do the work on the $266,725 upgrade north of Otter Creek Golf Course.
“However, (Force) is still getting their bonds together and coordinating with sub-contractors and consultants before they put down a schedule,” county highway engineer Danny Hollander said.
The contract calls for repairs to go down just under the rebar, which are steel bars below the deck used as a tension device in reinforced concrete. But Hollander said other repairs listed simply involve putting in high quality patches before seal-coating it with an epoxy to protect the concrete.
“It’s almost like a chip-and-seal on the bridge,” Hollander said. “The state does this kind of sealing on every bridge they do about three years after it’s built. And they are really pleased with the results.”
The remaining question is whether crews will have to close the entire bridge to get the work done, or divert two-way traffic onto one lane of the bridge for a longer period of time, the county highway engineer said.
It’s a question that will have to be answered during upcoming talks between the county and contractor, Hollander said.
“If they can get it done quicker, it may be easier if they can just close it for two weeks and get the work done,” Hollander said. “It may be better just to bite the bullet and be done with it.”
If the entire bridge is closed, traffic will likely be diverted onto County Road 50N during construction. That has caused concern about congestion and safety concerns around Clifty Creek Elementary School around the start and end of the school day.
County Road 500E can provide a western route back on East 25th Street before westbound traffic gets near the school. However, past experience shows some drivers are hesitant to use Road 500E because it goes through or near well-populated subdivisions like Clifty Farms, Creekview and Highland Ridge.
Classes begin on Thursday, Aug. 3 in Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. The contract signed Monday states the bridge work must be done no later than the end of September.
The Bartholomew County Commissioners have assured the public will be notified regarding scheduling and possible detours as those decisions are made.
Meanwhile, the striping of the 5.5 miles of new asphalt along East 25th Street this week will be temporary until asphalt and weather conditions are favorable for putting down permanent stripes, the highway engineer said.
