Plan your detours! 10 significant road projects in the South Bend area this summer

Yahoo

01-07-2025

Road construction kicks into high gear in the summer time as local government undertakes street projects to make repairs and improve overall road safety.
The Tribune compiled a list of significant road projects — some lasting months —determined by the size, length and cost of the project. These projects don't include standard street pavings, including 12 in Mishawaka and over 90 in South Bend, that typically take a week or less.
Here's what to know about summer road projects in the St. Joseph County area.
● Mishawaka Avenue Streetscape Project
When: Now to end of September
Cost: $3.2 million
In this two-phrase project, new curbs and sidewalks, new water main and storm sewers, new lighting, landscaping and street resurfacing will be coming to Mishawaka Avenue between Longfellow and Emerson avenues. Phase one — expected to end in early August — focuses on the south side of Mishawaka Avenue while phase two — expected to end in early August — focuses on north Mishawaka Avenue.
During construction, Mishawaka Avenue will be reduced to one westbound lane with cross streets and the eastbound Mishawaka Avenue ramp from Eddy Street/State Road 23 closed. Eastbound traffic will be detoured to Sample Street to Lincoln Way East to Twyckenham Drive.
● Ewing Avenue
When: Now to end of July
Cost: $1.3 million
In phase one, Ewing Avenue from Gertrude Street to Kemble Avenue will be closed through early June to install a new 10-foot multipurpose path and curbs on the south side of Ewing Avenue, raised intersections and pedestrian safety bumpouts at the Walker Field shelter house and at Webster and Walnut streets, and a new pedestrian and bicycle entrance to Rum Village Park. Motorists are advised to take Dubail and Prairie avenues as detours. In phase two, projected to be complete by the end of July, a new staircase and ramp connection to Rum Village Park will be installed. The city hopes construction improvements to Ewing Avenue will improve safety and to serve as a connector between Walker Field and Rum Village Park.
● Ireland Road and Ironwood Drive intersection
When: Now to early July
Cost: $1.8 million
The construction, divided into six phases, includes full reconstruction of the pavement, curb realignment and upgraded traffic signals. The project, which is entering its fifth phase, will work on the southeast corner of the intersection. Each phase is expected to take 21 days with weather permitting.
The city announces details of each phase as it begins.
During phase five of construction, northbound traffic on Ironwood Drive will not be able to turn right onto Ireland Road. Rather, a detour will direct traffic north on Ironwood Drive, east on Lincoln Way East, then south on Church Street to reconnect with Ireland Road.
● Cedar Street bridge closures
When: Now to early July
Cost: $7.9 million
The Cedar Street bridge refurbishments are part of phase one of the riverwalk expansion by connecting the north and south sides of the riverwalk. Construction includes new decking, a widened multi-use pathway, constructing a pathway under the bridge with stair access from Edgewater Drive, a new connection to Marvin's Garden, upgraded lighting and railing, a flashing pedestrian crossing at Cedar Street and St. Joseph County bridge maintenance. In phase two, the bridge will close April 1 and reopen in September 2025. Traffic is directed to the Main Street bridge using Lincolnway East and Mishawaka Avenue.
● Cleveland and Beech roads roundabout
When: June 9 to October
Cost: $3,491,555, with 80% paid for by the federal government and 20% locally
In the relocation of NIPSCO, construction crews will construct a roundabout, which will close the intersection for a few months. Motorists should expect delays along Cleveland Road, between Buckeye Road and Ash Road, and along with Beech Road, from the south end of the bridge over the Toll Road to 500 to 700 feet south of Cleveland Road.
● Rehabilitation of Mayflower Road bridge
When: Now to end of 2025, mid-2026
Cost: Rail line bridge — $5,278,000, with 80% paid for by the federal government and 20% locally; Ardmore Trail bridge — $2,224,000
Mayflower Road, from Fillmore Road to Edison Road, is closed due the rehabilitation of two bridges being built simultaneously, The Tribune's reporting partners at WNDU-TV said. One bridge rehabilitation is over the South Shore Line — ran by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District — and Norfolk Southern railroad line and will be completed by the end of 2025. A second bridge rehabilitation is over Ardmore Trail and is projected to be completed by mid-2026. Mayflower Road is closed to traffic until both bridges are completed.
● Main Street Bridge and Indiana Toll Road Preservation Project
When: Now to October
Cost: $2.38 million
In phase one of a two-phase project, the northbound lanes of Main Street are closed between Indian Ridge Boulevard and University Drive over the Indiana Toll Road as the Main Street bridge undergoes preventative maintenance. For a detour, Grape Road can be accessed at University Drive or Douglas Road for north and south travel.
When the northbound lanes reopen sometime in July, the southbound lanes will close until the project is completed in mid-October.
● Edison Road gravity sewer and road replacement
When: June 2 to mid-2026
Cost: $8 million
Edison Road, from Smilax Road to Larrison Drive, will be closed from June 2 to the end of 2025. In an effort to provide utilities to the Indiana Enterprise Center area — east of New Carlisle and west of South Bend — the project will provide municipal utilities water and sewer as well as private utilities American Electric Power gas and fiber. While a sewer is being installed, the road will be widened to add a center turn lane from Larrison Drive to Smilax Road. Drivers can utilize Walnut Road between U.S. 20 and Edison Road for detour.
The Indiana Department of Transportation will is continuing expansion and restructuring projects on roads it maintains.
● Indiana 2 and Larrison Boulevard resurfacing
When: Now to mid-November
Cost: $29.22 million
The expansion of the intersection at Indiana 2 and Larrison Boulevard is continuing a repaving project to accommodate extra traffic impacted by the electric vehicle battery plant construction northwest of the intersection. The Tribune previously reported that Indiana 2's repaving and the intersection improvements will continue through late November, but won't result in any full closures of the highway with at least one lane open in each direction. The total cost includes the resurfacing from the U.S. 20/Indiana-2 dogbone interchange to the U.S. 20/31 bypass and a small structure replacement within that section. Improvements were also made to intersection of State Road 2 and Larrison Road.
● Indiana 23 pipe lining project
When: June 9 to June 27
Cost: $474,848
The right lane of Indiana 23, between U.S. 20 and New Energy Drive, will be closed for a pipe lining project.
Email Tribune staff writer Camille Sarabia at [e-mail].
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: What to know about 10 large road projects in South Bend this summer