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County warns of multiple INDOT closures and detours on US 27 and US 224, advises travelers to plan ahead
Summary
Adams County staff outlined upcoming INDOT projects — a US 224 St. Mary’s River Bridge closure and multiple US 27 overlays — expected to cause lane reductions and short full closures starting late March and into summer, and urged residents to use posted commercial detours and leave earlier during peak hours.
Adams County officials warned residents that several state road and bridge projects will disrupt travel this spring and summer, including a deck overlay on a US 27 bridge near the Walmart and a full closure of the St. Mary’s River Bridge on US 224.
Nate, a county staff member, told the board that the US 27 deck overlay just north of the 33 intersection will reduce the bridge to two lanes and could require about 30 days of phased lane shifts beginning March 31. He also said a full closure of the St. Mary’s River Bridge on US 224 will use an official commercial detour that routes truck traffic off local roads, though he warned some local drivers will likely use unofficial shortcuts.
The county’s update included a separate mill-and-overlay on US 27 between State Road 218 and State Road 124 planned for early May that staff described as a seven-day closure or rolling closures, depending on staging. Officials said lane disruptions and rolling closures are likely through the summer as crews finish paving and overlay work along multiple corridors.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the closures will affect local commuter routes, school bus operations and summer programs. The county encouraged residents to leave earlier during rush hours, follow posted detours, and avoid using side roads as detours when possible because they can be less suited for commercial traffic and could be ticketed if traffic rules are violated.
County staff also flagged that increased enforcement will be present at key chokepoints at the start of projects and urged drivers to expect backups on secondary roads. Officials said the projects are state-led and necessary to address long-standing pavement and bridge safety needs but acknowledged the inconvenience for local traffic.
The county did not set alternative local mitigation actions but said it would relay closure-timeframe details to the board after confirming schedules with INDOT.
The board did not vote on any new action during the briefing; staff will provide updated timelines and maps to the public as they become available.
