Sellersburg residents frustrated with gridlocked roads during rush hour due to construction

SELLERSBURG, Ind. (WDRB) — Drivers in southern Indiana said U.S. 31 in Sellersburg is gridlocked for hours during rush hour because of construction.

The construction project which started in February starts on Prather Street and stretches to the front of Silver Creek High School.

The project is supposed to bring timed traffic lights, widened roads, turning lanes, new sidewalks, new lighting and new drainage.

People who live nearby said it take them about 25 minutes to travel 2.5 miles during rush hour and traveling some backroads feels dangerous.

"3:30 here is so loud, people are roaring out of here, they're peeling wheels, everyone's music is loud. It is an absolute nightmare, and people are turning into really grumpy neighbors," said one resident, who has asked to stay anonymous.

The resident said people are driving on the road next to her house because they're being diverted from U.S. 31 and trying to get to Interstate 65. She also tells us a warehouse that was built next to her home years ago has added disruptions as well.

"The insane amount of traffic that having all these employees here has caused on top of completely undoing the infrastructure," she added.

She's gone to town council members about these issues and said she feels like she's being ignored.

Sellersburg Councilman Terry Langford said a sound barrier is in the works for in between the warehouse and the residential homes, but it's a tedious process that takes time. As far as what he thinks of the traffic issues, he said this has been a known project for several years.

"When it's a finished project, it's going to be very nice so if everyone can just deal with it for a little bit," Langford said. "If they can find some alternate ways around town in the meantime, I encourage you to do so."

Langford said they put up signs to direct people to local businesses and have added temporary traffic lights in areas to reduce congestion.

"We have gone above and beyond to do things to make it as easy as possible," said Langford.

The neighbor still said she feels disrespected in her concerns.

"I just want to be heard honestly like any other person on this planet, any sort of validation would be nice," she said.

The three-phase project is expected to be done by Thanksgiving.