A plan is now in place for a paving project on a section of U.S. 31 in Bartholomew and Jackson Counties.

Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Spokesman Harry Maginity said officials met with its prime contractor, along with utility company representatives, Thursday morning at INDOT Seymour District offices to coordinate activities for launching the $8.4 million project. Along with the paving work, the contract also includes bridge work and construction of a new roundabout, said Maginity. He added that construction signs will be put in place next week and clearing operations will begin the following week.

Maginity says that Milestone is charged with repairing and resurfacing U.S. 31 from the pavement break south of Base Road near Columbus and the pavement break south of U.S. 50 near Seymour. He explains that the contract calls for replacing the three-span bridge over Sand Creek, along with and two drainage structures. He adds that roundabout construction at U.S. 31/C.R. 400 South in Bartholomew County is also a part of this project.

Maginity says that there will be a 240-day closure of U.S. 31 for the bridge replacement at Sand Creek, about seven-miles south of State Road 7 at the Bartholomew/Jackson county line. He says that the new bridge will be a 382-foot concrete bulb-T beam structure. Maginity says that the contractor anticipates beginning demolition work in early April.

Maginity says the state’s contract requires all 2016 bridge work to be completed by November 30. He adds that the new roundabout, set to be placed about 1.6 miles south of State Road 7, will be constructed in 2017.