Spencer motorists are navigating the many road detours caused by a multi-million-dollar highway reconstruction project.
The westbound and eastbound lanes of State Road 46 in north Spencer are undergoing a complete reconstruction. The project is in its third phase, which includes laying pavement on the eastbound lane.
Harry Maginity is the Public Information Director for the southeast district of the Indiana Department of Transportation. Despite the westbound lane closure and several traffic detours, he says the town will see long-term benefits.
"The community, despite all the inconveniences it’s had, is going to be a real beneficiary of all of this work that the state is paying for the town of Spencer,” he says.
The project also replaces sanitary and storm sewers and adds new sidewalks and ADA-compliant ramps.
Maginity says the multi-phase project draws funding from multiple sources.
“So there’s federal funding involved and state funds involved, $8 million worth roughly," Maginity says. "And that’s what it takes to get something like this done over a two year period, and it’s going along very well.”
The project is slated to be complete in October.