Westfield to open parts of State Route 32 Oct. 28; roundabouts and bridge signage work advance

The Board received multiple progress updates from public‑works staff on Wednesday, including a schedule for the State Route 32 project, several roundabout projects and bridge signage work.

John Veil, director of public works, said the 160th Spring Mill roundabout has been reopened to traffic. He said State Route 32 between Union and Poplar is scheduled to open one lane each direction on Oct. 28; he cautioned that opening those lanes does not mean the project is complete and that the contractor will maintain some work through winter months.

Veil reported ongoing roundabout work at 170th and Ditch (east leg closed), and at Towne Road north of 140th Street, where Town and Old 146 roundabout construction is underway. He said the city’s street department constructed a temporary parking area on the northeast corner of Park and Poplar using asphalt millings reclaimed from other projects and that the space will be used as laydown and temporary parking while two houses on Park Street are demolished for upcoming work.

On a separate action, the board granted signing authority for a contract with Sign Works to refurbish sports icons on the 146th Street bridge over U.S. 31, under a not‑to‑exceed amount of $72,058.96. Veil said INDOT permitting and nighttime lane closures will be required because the work is over U.S. 31. “We already had a meeting with INDOT, to hash out what kind of permitting is going to be required,” Veil said.

Veil said he expects the refurbished signs to last longer than the originals installed in 2018 because of changes in materials and installation techniques; he said funds will come from the public‑works contractual services line item and he did not expect to need an additional appropriation.

The board approved the signing authority and accepted the project updates.