Blackiston Mill Road Improvements – Phase 2
**UPDATE** September 6, 2023
Lochmueller Group recently released the following update in regards to the Blackiston Mill Road project. To receive these updates in you email, please email them at blackistonmillph2@lochgroup.com and request to be added to the mailing list.
CURRENT OPERATIONS
MAC Construction is currently working on preparing the road to be paved. They have just completed installing the new storm sewer system, except for a couple small structures, as well as the underdrains. Current operations include putting the finishing touches on the subgrade and installing the last few storm structures.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Once the subgrade is completed, they will be pouring curb and gutter, sidewalks, and driveways in the next few weeks. Once those are completed, the road paving operations will begin. This upcoming Thursday September 7th, 2023, at 10:00 AM, the road will be shut down, except for the entrance on the north side of the project area near Blackiston View. This closure will remain in effect until the end of next week, Friday September 15th, 2023. The temporary access road behind NAPA and Blackiston Bowl will still be open to allow access to the businesses, but there will be no access to Blackiston Mill Road from the parking lot. Further emails will be sent out to inform
residents and businesses of other closures or traffic changes.
**UPDATE** August 4, 2023
CURRENT OPERATIONS
MAC construction recently completed excavation of the detention basin located in front of Blackiston Bowl. Once the basin was completed, they began treating the subgrade south of the basin with compacted stone. We have left an open lane for residents to access their homes at all times, and if the traffic pattern is going to temporarily change in the future, everyone on the email list will be notified.
WHAT TO EXPECT
MAC Construction has completed the detention basin and will now begin to move north on Blackiston Mill Road to continue installing the storm sewer system, just as they did on the south side. For the residents on the north side of the project, there will still always be access to your residencies, but traffic patterns may change as the contractor moves north down the road. As mentioned above, this will be communicated through this email update service. Once the storm sewer system has been finished, MAC will prepare the subgrade on the north side just as they have on the south side.
**UPDATE** May 24, 2023
When the Town of Clarksville announced that a large section of Blackiston Mill Road would be closing to thru traffic for construction, the plan was to keep the road accessible to make it easier for residents living in the work area. That is about to change due safety concerns caused by reckless drivers.
Beginning on Tuesday, May 30th, there will be a hard closure on both ends of the construction zone, which means no thru traffic will be able to access the construction zone. Those who need to access homes and businesses within the limits of the barricades will have to utilize the roadway connecting Blackiston Bowl to the backside of Peddler’s Mall. Public Works Director Brad Cummings says the change needs to be made due to safety issues caused by drivers.
“We didn’t go with a hard closure in the beginning in order to make it easier for residents to access their homes and businesses,” said Cummings. “Unfortunately, many drivers continued to use Blackiston Mill Road as a cut through rather than using the posted detour.”
Not only were drivers still using Blackiston Mill Road as a cut through, Cummings says drivers have also been moving recklessly through the construction zone nearly hitting equipment and construction workers.
“There have been several close calls prompting complaints from the construction crews,” said Cummings.
Representatives from the Lochmueller Group, which is overseeing the project, say construction activities are anticipated to increase in the area beginning next week, and that the change is warranted to improve the safety of construction workers, the traveling public, and residents.
Crews are working to add sidewalks, a new turning lane into the Peddler’s Mall entrance, new sight lines for motorists, and improved drainage for stormwater runoff. The first part of the project will be completed by Indiana American Water, which is replacing an 8 inch water line with a new and improved 24 inch water line. The closure of Blackiston Mill Road is scheduled through November 20th.
**POSTED** March 14, 2023
Construction on phase 2 of the Town of Clarksville’s plan to improve Blackiston Mill Road is scheduled for March 2023 through November 2023. The road work will mean a closure of the road to thru-traffic from Altawood Drive to the back of the Kroker parking lot. Residents will have access as well as those trying to access businesses in the area.
Crews are working to add sidewalks, a new turning lane into the Peddler’s Mall entrance, new sight lines for motorists, and improved drainage for stormwater runoff. The first part of the project will be completed by Indiana American Water, which is replacing an 8 inch water line with a new and improved 24 inch water line.
Before the project began, project leaders hosted a public meeting to discuss the project and the necessary road closures. You can watch our video from that meeting below.