HANCOCK COUNTY — Through traffic on U.S. 36 between McCordsville and Pendleton will be detoured next week, but the road still will be accessible to local travelers.
Fortville officials spent part of Tuesday explaining to residents that only a portion of the highway in the middle of town would be shut down despite an Indiana Department of Transportation news release indicating the entire nine-mile stretch between McCordsville and Pendleton would be closed.
The closure is needed for crews to replace a pipe that moves water under the highway on Fortville’s northeast end.
The Fortville Police Department posted on its Facebook page that the construction will take place between Emerson Drive and Motel Drive. East Ohio Street, Emerson Drive, Motel Drive and Linda Drive should remain open, according to the post.
Mallory Duncan, an INDOT spokeswoman, said there will be a 20-foot closure on both sides of the excavation and that no driveways in the area will be blocked.
Local travelers will be able to drive on U.S. 36 — Broadway Street in Fortville — southwest and northeast the work site, but through traffic will be detoured to State Road 234.
The closure and detour will start at 6 a.m. Monday, July 29, and the highway is scheduled to reopen by 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 31.
Tonya Galbraith, McCordsville town manager, said the town found out about the upcoming closure on Tuesday. She said the McCordsville Police Department reached out to the Fortville Police Department, which provided clarification on INDOT’s plans.
“Everyone was trying to figure out what it means,” Galbraith said.
Galbraith said that up until the clarification, the only concern she was aware of regarded area schools starting back up again on July 31.
“Parents were concerned about what that might mean for bus traffic, but it sounds like it shouldn’t be a problem,” Galbraith said.
Late Monday afternoon, INDOT sent out a news release with the headline, “U.S. 36 to close in Fortville for 3 days.” A map accompanying the release seemed to suggest the entire highway would be closed between McCordsville and Pendleton, prompting confusion on Tuesday as officials in Fortville and McCordsville sought clarification on INDOT’s plans.
