By John Estridge
Update: I sat in traffic at three different places on U.S. 52 and Indiana 1 Thursday morning, October 8. There was traffic stopped in front of Sperry’s for electrical work, traffic stopped west of the Ind. 1 and U.S. 52 intersection for the work on U.S. 52 and then at a stop light north of the bridge over the Whitewater River on Ind. 1. I was told the work painting the bridge ended later Thursday and that group is now gone.
There are two highway projects coinciding near the intersection of U.S. 52 and Indiana 1 east of Brookville.
The first is asphalt patching on U.S. 52 between Ind. 1 and Interstate 74 at the U.S. 52 exit. And the other is painting of the bridge over the Whitewater River on Ind. 1 south of its intersection with U.S. 52.
According to a press release from the Indiana Department of Transportation, Dave O’Mara Contractor Inc. began asphalt patching on a nine-mile section of U.S. 52 in Franklin and Dearborn Counties The work is part of a $1.6 million resurface contract between Ind. 1 and I-74. Patching will be completed under lane closures with flagging, followed by paving.
The contract was awarded in January 2020 and is expected to be complete by the end of November.
Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones. All work is weather dependent.
The second project should end about the same time as the first, according to INDOT.
Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Civil Coatings and Construction Inc. is working on a $500,000 bridge painting contract on U.S. 52 over Big Cedar Creek near Cedar Grove and Ind. 1 over the Whitewater River in Franklin County. Each bridge will be reduced to one lane with a temporary traffic signal while work is in progress.
Painting is expected to be complete on U.S. 52 in approximately 30 days after August 24, and in approximately 90 days after August 24 on Ind. 1.
The contract was awarded in December 2019 and is scheduled to be completed in November. Motorists should slow down, watch for stopped traffic, and drive distraction-free through all work zones. All work is weather dependent.
Painting is one of many preservation techniques utilized by INDOT to extend the life of bridge structures. Prior to painting, beams and other components are sandblasted to remove existing rust and the new coat of paint acts as a sealant to protect from water, salt and other chemicals that may cause corrosion.