JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) — A major four-mile stretch of Charlestown Pike fully reopened after two years of construction, bringing relief to local commuters and preparing the area for a projected housing boom.
Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore and city officials celebrated the completion Tuesday morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The $35 million project widened lanes, added sidewalks, installed new lighting, and upgraded infrastructure along the corridor.
"This was an extremely narrow road; there was no safe way to walk out here," Moore said.
The upgrades are designed to accommodate rapid growth in the area, where several new subdivisions are under construction. Local officials expect more than 1,000 new homes to be built along the corridor over the next decade.
Funding for the project came from Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues. The final cost ran $6 million over the original budget, though city officials emphasized the project was completed on schedule.
For local residents, the reopening ends two years of detours and traffic delays that began when Utica-Sellersburg Road was shut down.
"It is more than a sigh of relief — it cuts probably five to 10 miles off of our commute everyday," said Wayne George, a resident of the nearby Red Tail Ridge subdivision.
While pleased with the improvements, George expressed some concern that the upgraded corridor might encourage reckless driving.
"I hope it doesn't add to the speed effect now that the road is very pristine," George said. "It seems like if you've got nice roads, you want to go quicker. The neighborhood nightmare is finally over — took a long time, but well worth it."
While the main stretch of Charlestown Pike is open, minor roadwork remains. County-managed construction near Salem-Noble Road is scheduled to be completed this fall.
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