Greencastle finds itself in midst of 'construction season'

With the calendar reaching late April and temperatures warming up, Greencastle Mayor Lynda Dunbar is well versed what means for her city -- Greencastle is in the midst of construction season.

And, for the second summer, portions of her downtown area are torn up as the U.S. 231 construction project continues, as INDOT continues to work on the Jackson Street portion. 

"So far, they are still on schedule, which is good. They are really working hard to get this project done because I think they actually have other things to be working on besides U.S. 231 in Greencastle. We are still looking at late July or August timeframe. So far, no surprises, unlike what happened on Washington Street with the city sewer line. This week they will be boring under the railway. Hopefully, they can get that done quickly and get moving along," Dunbar told The Putnam County Post.

While the project continues to move along, Dunbar admits there are portions of last year's project that still need addressed, as the sidewalks up and down Washington Street are "terrible," according to the first term mayor. 

"They've got a lot of sidewalks downtown to get put in yet. The sidewalks that they have put in are terrible, and I have been very boisterous to INDOT that they are terrible. They are just what I thought they would be -- horrible tripping hazards and I know there are several folks who have fallen downtown. They are aware there is a problem. I am not sure what their solution will be or if it will get left with us to take them out and put them back in at the expense of the citizens of Greencastle. Hopefully, we can come to some sort of agreement. They still have to put the street lights in. There's still a lot of work left to be done," Dunbar admitted. 

U.S. 231 is not the only construction project that will be underway this week, as residents will see a "25 year fix" to Washington Street between Wood Street and Percy Julian Drive near Greencastle High School commence. Dunbar said the road was to have closed either Monday or Tuesday.

"We are excited about that project. It is supposed to run until August, and that always varies depending on how many raindrops we get, weather and if they run into any problems. We are excited to get that road done. It is one of those roads that we have always messed with every five years or so and it always has a big price tag. This time, it's got a really big price tag, but we are making that 25-30 year fix on it. We are making a big improvement in that neighborhood," Dunbar said. 

Dunbar said the project entails new sidewalks, new water lines, shoring up the road with gravel, lining the sewer lines and new storm sewer. 

"We are trying to fix everything we can underground so that the road does not have to be dug up into for at least 20 years by the city. We hate to put in new roads and then dig it up," Dunbar said.