Public invited to provide feedback on preferred alternative at South Harrison Community Center
(Des #2001154)

In partnership with Lochmueller Group, the Indiana Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing on Thursday, August 31, for the proposed State Road 11 Extension Project; a road construction project that provides an improved connection between S.R. 135 and S.R. 11 in Harrison County.

The hearing will take place at the South Harrison Community Center (5101 Main St., Elizabeth, IN) and will be an opportunity for the public to interact with the project team, receive the latest updates for the project, and provide official public comment on the preferred alternative. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. to allow the public time to view displays and talk with project personnel prior to a presentation that will begin at 6 p.m. Following the presentation, a public comment session will be held. 

The purpose of the project is to improve safety and provide an improved connection between S.R. 135 and S.R. 11 in Harrison County. As proposed, the project involves the construction of Refined Preferred Alternative 3, which begins at the intersection of S.R. 135 and Watson Rd., following Watson Rd. for 2.25 miles to Union Chapel Rd. The alternative then follows Union Chapel Rd. for 0.6 mile before turning east on new terrain to cross Buck Creek. After crossing Buck Creek, the alternative remains on new terrain until it meets an existing access road and continues to Melview Rd., where it continues to S.R. 11.

Current plans would construct the new roadway as a two-lane road with 12-foot travel lanes and six-foot shoulders, and includes a new bridge crossing over Buck Creek. The project is anticipated to be constructed in six phases with various road closures and detours. Construction is expected to begin in late summer/early fall of 2025. Estimated construction cost is approximately $55.62 million.

There are several ways to follow project progress, ask questions and offer feedback.

• Provide official public comment before, during or after the public hearing (comment period ends Friday, September 15, 2023)
  • In-person at the public hearing on Thursday, August 31 (written or verbal)
  • By email: nicole.minton@lochgroup.com
  • By mail: Lochmueller Group Inc. Attn: Nicole Minton, 6200 Vogel Rd., Evansville, IN 47715
• Find project information online at sr11extension.com
• Ask questions via INDOT4U at indot4u.com or by calling 855-463-6848

Current closure near Rosewood Rd. to be removed later today following small structure replacement

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor C&R Construction and Consulting plans to begin work in late August to replace the S.R. 11 bridge over South Fork Buck Creek in Harrison County.

Starting on or after Monday, August 28, S.R. 11 will close just under a mile south of S.R. 211, east of Elizabeth. The bridge is expected to reopen in early December. During the closure, traffic will be routed along the official detour, which follows S.R. 62 and S.R. 337. Crews will replace a second bridge over South Fork Buck Creek (0.5 mile south of S.R. 211) next year.

This contract was awarded in January for $2.48 million and includes multiple small structure and bridge replacement projects. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, and consider worker safety when traveling through active construction zones.

Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews plan to begin patching work on I-65 between S.R. 160 and S.R. 56 starting next week. Nightly lane closures will take place from approximately 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., beginning on or after Monday, August 28, while patching work is in progress.

Maintenance crews will first conduct deep patching work on the I-65 southbound driving lane near mile marker 21.5 (north of S.R. 160). Maintenance crews will then complete permanent shallow patching along the I-65 northbound driving lane near mile marker 25.5 (south of S.R. 56). Patching work is expected to be complete on or after Wednesday, August 30, weather permitting.

The overnight lane closures are currently scheduled as follows:

• Monday, August 28 – Tuesday, August 29: I-65 southbound righthand driving lane (near mile marker 21.5)
• Tuesday, August 29 – Wednesday, August 30: I-65 northbound righthand driving lane (near mile marker 25.5)