Construction to begin at US 50, SR 421
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Harold Force, president of Force Construction Company, Inc., told a group that gathered for a breakfast meeting Wednesday morning, that construction was set to begin April 1, at the intersection of US 50 and SR 421, commonly known as the Wye at Versailles. He said the project is fully designed and ready to be implemented.

The construction period is expected to last from April 1 until November 11 of this year and will change the landscape of that area significantly. When approaching US 50 from SR 421, that curve will be taken out. State Road 421 will intersect with US 50 in more of a T than a Y formation, just west of the Butternut Bread Store, according to engineers from Force Construction, who shared drawings of the project.

There will be some inconveniences when construction begins, such as slowed traffic and the closure of US 50 for seven days in June. That exact date will be announced at a later time, according to Pat Kirchner, VP of construction. Also there will be a period of time, yet to be determined, that SR 421 will be closed near Versailles for seven days. Force noted that their company would work with the town on various festival dates as best they could.

Active job site hours will vary, according to Force, being typically Monday through Friday, with some Saturdays. Normally they will begin construction about 7:00 a.m. each day and usually work 8-9 hour days. He noted that safety is their first priority. "Cars and construction don't mix very well, we're going to keep them separated as much as possible," he noted.

The issue of emergency personnel and police getting through the construction area was discussed, as well as how buses would have to be routed during the construction period. Rose Morton, transportation director for South Ripley schools, also noted that schools bringing students to the Southeastern Career Center would need to be notified of the change. Questions about the impact of added traffic on county roads was addressed as well as the amount of fuel the construction company would have on site.

Force explained that the Indiana Department of Transportation is the owner of the project, their company, Force Construction is the contractor, and Aecon Engineers and Consultants is the designer.

Force said, "Versailles and Ripley County is important to Force Construction." He noted they have done several projects in the area and also employ several people from Ripley County. Jeff Logman, construction engineer for the Indiana Department of Transportation, Seymour District, said, "We are happy to have Force on this project."

There is a state field office set up on the square in Versailles where Steve French, INDOT project engineer is located. There will also be a trailer set up at the job site.

Force noted they will work with the local newspaper to keep the public informed of closure dates and any additional information that will be pertinent to motorists.

The end result will leave Versailles a two-stoplight town, and change what has been a dangerous intersection for many years.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

Harold Force, president of Force Construction Inc., Columbus, left and Pat Kirchner, VP of construction for the company, show the plans for the new construction at the Wye intersection of US 50 and SR 129 at Versailles. The project was designed by Aecon Engineers and Consultants and is ready to be implemented. The construction period will be from April 1, 2006 to November 11, 2006 with both US 50 and SR 421 being closed each for a period of seven days.