GPD staying busy with construction traffic

Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 12:53 PM

By Paul Gable

A year ago, the Greencastle Police Department got plenty of experience in dealing with the woes that came with the U.S. 231 construction through the heart of Greencastle.

The experience has paid dividends, as the department continues to deal traffic nightmares, as the U.S. 231 construction has now moved from the Putnam County Courthouse to the CSX railroad on the northside of Greencastle.

Police Chief Christopher Jones told the Putnam County Post that his department has been busier under this wave of construction for a variety of reasons.

"I think it has been a lot busier with issues right off the bat. We had better detour roads last year for Washington Street. There was Franklin Street and a couple different streets that handled the overflow. This year, the roads are more narrow and are in our urban areas where citizens are not used to that much traffic and it has created some issues. We've been busier and it has been a fast start with more issues. We are taking it one day at a time," Jones told The Putnam County Post.

With his department pulling over semi trucks that ignored barricades last year and this year, Jones said local drivers are aware, but there are still plenty of problems for out of town drivers.

"I think what has been good this year is word got out a lot faster to our local drivers. It seems like the word has not gotten out to the over the road guys and some of the out of town drivers. We are working on that, and I think as time goes and they learn they will get pulled over, citations will be given, it will get better," Jones said.