NEWS RELEASE
May 6th, 2022
CITY OF NORTH VERNON WALNUT STREET CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
A message from the Mayor,
As we are in the midst of redoing our old U.S. Highway 50, Walnut Street, a lot of things are going on and that creates problems not only for the downtown merchants, but it also creates problems for the city fathers that strive to see that the merchants keep their doors open so the business can go on without too much chaos. Knowing all the time not all people are going to be happy or pleased with the way things are being changed.
These changes will only be for the betterment of our beloved town of North Vernon. When we were starting the first grade how many of us cried and didn’t want to go because it was something new, and we were afraid of the unknown. It’s a little bit like that, people, in general, don’t like change, but what I am asking is to trust me because the end goal will very much worth it.
Our streets will be a newly paved highway with new curbs and gutters. When all of the work is finished, you’ll be able to drive Walnut Street and drink your coffee and not wear it.
We understand the problems that some of the merchants are facing and will strive to address those problems and help eliminate some of those concerns.
I want to assure our merchants and patrons that I and my staff will do everything that we can to help make this transition as easy as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Sincerely,
Mike Ochs
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Construction update from Kevin Daeger, HWC Engineering:
“Sanitary sewer installation has been completed on Phase 1B.
The contractor has begun the installation of Storm structures and adjoining piping on the North side of Walnut Street. Pedestrian access is still being maintained throughout the downtown area and the public is encouraged to utilizing parking available on Madison Avenue and Jackson Street. Temporary handicap parking spots were installed this week on Walnut Street. North Jackson Street, and Madison Avenue. The construction site is delineated by construction barrels, barricades, and orange snow fencing at this time.
Phase 8 of the project was started last week and has reached completion of installing the storm system. This project will begin installing curb and gutter and other various concrete installation along the North side of Buckeye Street next week. This work is being completed under flagging operations and is limiting vehicular traffic to a minimum. Pedestrian traffic on Buckeye Street can still utilize the North Sidewalk connecting to Vernon Street. “
If you have questions or concerns throughout the duration of this project, you may use the following options:
- Primary Contact: Kevin Daeger, HWC Engineering-email kdaeger@hwcengineering.com Cell# 812-592-5374;
- Secondary Contact: Tim Hunt, HWC Engineering - email thunt@hwcengineering.com Cell# 502-648-7445.
- Or, posting concerns online via our website at: https://www.northvernon-in.gov/citizen_request/index.php
NEWS RELEASE
Walnut Street Construction Update
April 22, 2022
Construction is starting to move further down Walnut Street as of this week. Work and crew have almost made it to directly in front of city hall.
We appreciate all of the feedback and patience that you have demonstrated over the last few weeks and ask that you keep bearing with us through this.
Here is the latest update from HWC Engineering:
From Kevin Daeger:
"Construction on Walnut Street is nearing the completion of sanitary sewer installations for Phase 1B. Once completed, efforts will shift to storm structure construction and then water main installation.
The contractor has elected to begin Phase 8 of the project and that work is scheduled to begin Monday April 25th. This phase includes Buckeye Street from Madison Railroad to Vernon Street. The construction of this phase will be completed under flagging operations and vehicular traffic will be affected to a minimum. Pedestrian access will be maintained, on at least one side of the road, at all times.
There is an additional pump around setup that was installed this week at Jennings and Walnut. This pump around is expected to remain in place throughout next week and will be removed from site when sanitary installs are completed for Phase 1B.
Pedestrian traffic and vehicular restrictions remain unchanged at this time and the closure of Walnut Street from Jackson Street to Madison Avenue will remain the same."
NEWS RELEASE
Walnut Street Construction Update
From Kevin Daeger, HWC Engineering
Sanitary sewer installations have continued to progress throughout this week and have caused a need for a few minor changes to traffic control in the downtown area.
Starting Monday April 18th, an additional pump around setup will be installed at the Jennings Street and Walnut Street intersection.
The manhole at this intersection is in the East bound lane of Walnut Street and motorist are encouraged to use caution when navigating around the barrels that will be in place. This pump around setup will be staged at Walnut Street and then discharge pipes will travel down the West curb line of South bound Jennings Street. The pipes will enter the roadway at Chestnut Street and will make a 90 degree turn to align with the discharge manhole.
Temporary, drive over, road plates will be installed on Chestnut and Jennings Street to reduce the impact on motorist in the area.
Pedestrian traffic will remain the same in the downtown area during this change and will not be impacted by the additional pump around at Jennings Street.
NEWS RELEASE
Walnut Street Construction Update
News Release
* The contractor will be adjusting traffic control measures in the early morning and Madison Avenue will be back open normally to the flow of traffic. Vehicles will not be permitted to turn right off of Madison Avenue into the downtown area but will be able to travel South to Buckeye Street or left to 5th Street.
*Jackson Street intersection will be completely shut down starting Monday morning 4-4-22.
* Also, the alleyway between Jackson Street and Madison Avenue will be closed to through traffic with barricades.
If you have questions or concerns throughout the duration of this project, you may use the following options:
Primary Contact: Kevin Daeger, HWC Engineering-email kdaeger@hwcengineering.com Cell# 812-592-5374;
Secondary Contact: Tim Hunt, HWC Engineering - email thunt@hwcengineering.com Cell# 502-648-7445.
Or, posting concerns online via our website at: https://www.northvernon-in.gov/citizen_request/index.php.
Update from Kevin Daeger, HWC Engineering
March 30th, 2022.
“Phase 1A is still on schedule to be completed by the end of the day next Tuesday the 5th. Necessary underground tie-ins were made by the contractor in the past few weeks and the underground work is completed in the area at this time.
For questions or concerns, primary Contact: Kevin Daeger, HWC Engineering-email kdaeger@hwcengineering.com Cell# 812-592-5374;
Secondary Contact: Tim Hunt, HWC Engineering - email thunt@hwcengineering.com Cell# 502-648-7445.
Or, posting concerns online via our website at: https://www.northvernon-in.gov/citizen_request/index.php.
UPDATE, WALNUT STREET CONSTRUCTION
March 25, 2022
As you make your way downtown, we wanted to share some points to consider:
- While things get underway on Walnut, parking is still available in spots up to the alley before Iron Benders, both sides of the street. You can maneuver around the partial street block at Jackson/Walnut to park on right side of street.
- Sidewalks are still open to businesses.
- When you drive into downtown expect equipment and trucks to be maneuvering in and through the street from City Hall to Iron Benders/Perfect Day/Artistry in Motion area.
- The traffic light at Jackson and Walnut is blinking red so please use caution around that area.
From Kevin Daeger, HWC Engineering
"Construction began on Monday March 21st.
The contractor has completed necessary tie-ins to the storm system and will be progressing into connecting the sanitary system in the coming days. Barricades remain in place at the Madison Ave and Walnut intersection. Madison Avenue is setup to contain 2-way traffic utilizing the North half of the block for parking and business access and using the South half of the block for vehicle turnaround.
Access to the downtown area is still permitted up until the alleyway between Jackson Street and Madison Avenue. The contractor plans to begin utilizing the pump around system to install the new sanitary lines beginning the morning of Friday March 25th. Work is scheduled to continue throughout next week installing storm and sanitary connections. When the storm and sanitary systems are in place, the road will be brought back to surface grade and paving operations will commence at the intersection of Madison Avenue and Walnut Street.A few minor circumstances, out of the contractor's control, have caused a set-back in the planned 14-day closure of this phase. It is anticipated that this work will be completed by the end of business Tuesday, April 5th."
A View of Walnut from Jackson A View of Walnut close to Madison
March 16, 2022
From Kevin Daeger, HWC Engineering
"Monday March 21st is the anticipated start date for the Walnut St. Project.
-Phase 1A will begin that day with a closure of the Madison Ave. and Walnut St. intersection.
A pump around is being utilized for the construction of the new sanitary sewer. The pump will be located on the SE corner of Jackson and Walnut. A soft closure at that location will be utilized to delineate the pump setup, but also will allow for traffic to enter the downtown area for the duration of Phase 1A.
This closure is not to exceed 14 calendar days and will transition the project directly into Phase 1B.
Vehicular traffic will be permitted throughout downtown with the exception of the Madison Ave intersection during Phase 1A.
-During Phase 1B, no vehicular traffic will be permitted to enter the work-zone from Jackson St to Madison Ave.
Southbound Madison Ave. will be open during phase 1B and traffic will flow as normal, with the exception of turning right onto Westbound Walnut."
- Primary Contact: Kevin Daeger, HWC Engineering-email kdaeger@hwcengineering.com Cell# 812-592-5374;
- Secondary Contact: Tim Hunt, HWC Engineering - email thunt@hwcengineering.com Cell# 502-648-7445.
- Or, posting concerns online via our website at: https://www.northvernon-in.gov/citizen_request/index.php
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INITIAL NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 4th, 2022
Contact: Lee-Lee Ernstes, Media Relations
mediarelations@northvernon-in.gov
CITY OF NORTH VERNON WALNUT STREET CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
North Vernon, Indiana – The City of North Vernon, Mayor Mike Ochs, would like to inform the residents, business owners and visitors of some essential details for Walnut Street Road Construction Project scheduled to start on March 1st, 2022.
Over the next couple of weeks, you will begin to see some non-road-related preliminary work in and around the downtown area. However, the official start date on the road will not start until March 1st, 2022. I’ve included specific details about the project from the engineer of the project, HWC Engineering:
“The maintenance of traffic (MOT) will include closing Walnut Street in eight phases over the course of construction with only one section of the road being closed at a time and a detour with signs utilizing the new US50 (North Vernon bypass) will be provided during construction. Buckeye street will remain open to traffic during construction, and the sidewalk on one side of the road will be maintained at all times on both Walnut and Buckeye Streets.
This project is located on Walnut Street (old us 50) from a point 500 feet (ft) west of Poplar Street to Buckeye Street at the Madison Railroad crossover, and on Buckeye Street from Walnut Street to 7th street, in North Vernon, Jennings County. This project includes the reconstruction of the sanitary sewer and water systems, as well as the total replacement of pavement, sidewalks, curb and gutter, and storm sewer system within the project limits up to the Madison Railroad. The road reconstruction will not include the Madison Railroad crossing. The road reconstruction will stop on either side of the SR 3/SR 7 intersection with Walnut Street, but sanitary sewer and waterline work will occur using underground construction means within the intersection and along Walnut Street.”
We hope to communicate to our residents before the start of each project phase effectively. We want your travels into and out of the city to be well informed, to help plan your trips accordingly. Our communication strategy will include publishing our updates to the “Recent News” section on the homepage of our website, www.NorthVernon-IN.gov.
Also included in communication will be meetings hosted by HWC Engineering in the downtown area. These meetings will be open to the public. We will make an announcement once those dates and locations are determined. We encourage all downtown business and property owners to attend these meetings for timely updates, as well as to provide project progress.
We plan to send additional communication for phase one, prior to March 1st. In our best efforts to communicate the project’s status, we are asking for your patience during this process. If you have questions or concerns throughout the duration of this project, you may use the following options:
Primary Contact: Kevin Daeger, HWC Engineering-email kdaeger@hwcengineering.com Cell# 812-592-5374;
Secondary Contact: Tim Hunt, HWC Engineering - email thunt@hwcengineering.com Cell# 502-648-7445.
Or, posting concerns online via our website at: https://www.northvernon-in.gov/citizen_request/index.php.
Sincerely,
Mayor Mike Ochs
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