I-70 pavement project moves into second phase

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The ongoing Interstate 70 pavement rehabilitation project moved into its second phase at noon Tuesday, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announced.

The patch and rehabilitation project, which began Aug. 15, encompasses the entire length of I-70 in Putnam County and cuts across portions of Clay, Hendricks and Morgan as it runs from State Road 59 to two miles east of State Road 267 (the Plainfield exit).

Motorists are now being shifted into the left lane while the construction crew from Milestone Contractors patches and rehabilitates the right lane and shoulder area.

During this phase of construction, which is expected to last six or seven weeks, an 11-foot width restriction will be in place for vehicles.

The patching portion of the project is expected to be completed by Nov. 22. The work is to be finished next year with all permanent pavement markings and reseeding to be finished by May 18, 2012.

"This work on I-70 is necessary due to the heavy truck and volume of traffic that we have on this stretch of the interstate," Alan Plunkett, INDOT Crawfordsville district deputy commissioner, said. "We have some deterioration of the pavement and getting this done now doesn't prolong construction over several years."

INDOT encourages motorists to seek alternate routes. Area residents are urged to use U.S. 40 and State Roads 59 and 267 to avoid the congested areas of the interstate.

The state awarded the contract for the pavement project to Milestone Contractors for $27.9 million.

For further information, persons may log on to the state website www.in.gov/indot, or www.trafficwise.IN.gov.

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