INDOT Construction on SR 13 May Impact School Bus Routes

Lapel, IN — April 22, 2025 — The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is set to begin a construction and repaving project on State Road 13 (SR 13), starting as early as Monday, April 14. The project includes culvert repair and replacement in several key locations, and may temporarily impact school transportation services.

Construction Timeline & Locations

Beginning Monday, April 14: Work starts just south of the SR 13 and 53rd Street intersection. Thursday, April 24: Culvert repair at Hackberry Lane and SR 13. Monday, April 28 – Tuesday, April 29: Work at the intersection of 300 South and SR 13.

During these repairs, SR 13 will be closed daily from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Impact on Bus Routes

The Transportation Department advises that bus routes, pickup times, or pickup locations may be adjusted during construction. If a significant change is necessary, your bus driver will contact you directly.

Map of Affected Areas

![Map Placeholder — SR 13 Construction Zone]

An interactive map will be available on the school district’s website.

Stay Updated

For real-time updates on this project, visit the INDOT TrafficWise website or call 1-800-261-ROAD (7623).

Road Construction Updates for Lapel, Indiana: What You Need to Know for 2025

Hey, Lapel residents! As we roll into March 2025, it’s time to talk about what’s happening on the roads around our little corner of Madison County. Whether you’re commuting to work, running errands, or just enjoying a drive, here’s the latest on planned road construction that might affect you this year. I’ve dug into the details from INDOT and other sources to keep you in the loop—because nobody likes being caught off guard by a road closure or traffic delay!

Nearby Construction on State Road 32: New Stop Signs Coming Soon

Starting March 10, 2025, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is making some changes just west of Lapel along State Road 32. They’re installing new four-way stop signs at the intersections of SR 32 and Durbin Road and SR 32 and Prairie Baptist Road in Hamilton County. This isn’t right in Lapel, but if you head west toward Noblesville or beyond, you’ll notice the difference.

  • What’s Happening? INDOT is adding stop signs, rumble strips, flashing lights, and advance warning signs to make these intersections safer and easier to navigate.
  • How Long? The work should wrap up in about two days, barring any weather surprises (fingers crossed for a dry spell!).
  • Impact on You: Expect a brief disruption—maybe some slowdowns or a detour—while crews get this done. Once finished, these new stops could slow your trip a bit, but they’re designed to cut down on accidents. If SR 32 is your go-to route west, plan for an extra minute or two starting mid-March.

Update on Lapel’s Water Project: Insights from Brian Robertson

In recent weeks, Brian Robertson, Vice President of the Lapel Town Council, shared an important update on the town’s ongoing water project. The council held two public meetings to address significant developments in the project. One meeting was a special session, while the other was a regular council meeting, both of which were open to the public and extensively advertised.

Reasons for Recent Changes

Brian Robertson explained that government agencies are required to accept the lowest reasonable bid for projects. Initially, the plan was to use a boring method to install new water lines. However, this method proved to be extremely challenging due to difficulties in locating some of Lapel’s utilities using outdated maps. After five months of negotiations and planning, a new approach was agreed upon. The project will now proceed with an “open cut” method, which is expected to better address the unique challenges of the town’s infrastructure.

Project Timeline

According to Robertson, the project is scheduled to restart on or before September 15, 2024. The major completion date for the new water lines, which must be installed and supplying customers, is set for March 31, 2025. The total completion date, which includes final touches, is targeted for April 30, 2025.

Ensuring Timely Progress

Brian Robertson has been assigned the task of conducting weekly meetings with both the engineering team and the contractor to ensure the project remains on schedule. A town utility employee will serve as the primary point of contact and will be on-site daily, reporting any issues directly to Robertson. He will then provide progress reports to the council during their regular monthly meetings.

Focus on Water Quality

Robertson has also been in touch with the water department to explore ways of taking water samples directly from the water meter. The goal is to ensure that the water quality being supplied is up to standard. The town is responsible for water quality up to the meter, while anything beyond that point falls under the property owner’s responsibility. Although there are acknowledged issues with the town’s aging water supply system, Robertson emphasized that the project aims to significantly improve the oldest sections of this system.

Moving Forward

Brian Robertson hopes that this update sheds light on the council’s efforts to enhance Lapel’s water system. He also expressed openness to sharing this information to keep the community well-informed.