Part of Utica-Sellersburg Road closed in Jeffersonville while crews widen Charlestown Pike

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Part of Utica-Sellersburg Road in southern Indiana will be closed for the next several weeks.

The closure from Charlestown Pike to Water Tower Road was scheduled to take effect sometime Aug. 12, according to a post on the city of Jeffersonville's Facebook page.

The construction is part of a project to widen and improve Charlestown Pike from Holmans Lane to Salem-Noble Road, as well as Utica-Sellersburg Road from Charlestown Pike to State Road 62.

Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore said the project was estimated to be $19 million, but when the city opened bids a few months ago, it is now estimated at $29 million.

Moore said the area is now a heavy residential and commercial, thus additional infrastructure was needed.

"There was a lot of farm lands that weren't being utilized, developers took notice, you saw a lot of residential growth back here," Moore said. "What used to be a narrow road that farmers used to move their hay is now a bustling thoroughfare with school buses, trucks, families, cars, everything."

Part of the project will add sidewalks to Charlestown Pike and Utica-Sellersburg Road. There will also be curbs and gutters added to the road, along with street lighting. Moore said there are 14 different subdivisions on a three-mile stretch along Charlestown Pike.

"They need entrances, de-acceleration lanes, they need lighting, there are a lot of kids who need sidewalks," Moore said.

Mackenzie Baulmert and her family moved into a subdivision, Red Tail Ridge on Charlestown Pike two years ago. She likes the idea of having access to sidewalks and more walkability.

"We are an active family, we can't really access other neighborhoods," Baulmert said. "In the end, we're excited for it. I feel like more lanes will slow people down."

Crews will be installing a new water line and storm pipes before starting work on the road.

Signs will be in place alerting motorists to the the closure, and there will be detour signs directing traffic around the closed road. Drivers are encouraged to use Charlestown Pike to Holmans Lane to 10th Street for the detour route.

"There is going to be a lot of delays and detours, if you're going to be in a hurry, you better find another way to get around the city of Jeff," Moore said. "Be prepared for some long waits. A $29 million project is going to cause some heartburn."

Crews are expected to finish installing the water line and pipes by mid-October.

"Two years from now we will be done and the city will be better because of it," Moore said.

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