BEDFORD — Commuters in Lawrence County should prepare for significant travel disruptions as a pair of major infrastructure projects promise to bottleneck local traffic.
The Lawrence County Highway Department announced that a major bridge closure on Stars Boulevard is now underway. To complicate local travel, this county project closely coincides with upcoming state roadworks on State Road 58, creating a perfect storm for local delays.
According to Lawrence County Highway Superintendent Brian Sowder, West Coxton Road and Coxton Road will be closed on Friday and Monday for paving.
Crews are currently chipping and sealing roads around the Heltonville area and should be done this week.
Lawrence County Emergency Management Director Valerie Luchauer has met with local first responders, fire departments, and ambulance crews to map out emergency response routes while the roads are blocked.
Stars Boulevard Closed Over Leatherwood Creek
The bridge on Stars Boulevard over Leatherwood Creek is now completely closed to all through traffic.
The Specifics:
- Location: Just north of Boyd Lane and south of Miami Drive.
- Barricades: The road is blocked off just south of the transfer station and at the north side intersection of Boyd Lane.
- Local Access: While through traffic is strictly prohibited, both Boyd Lane and Miami Drive remain open. Access to all adjacent roads will stay open for residents and property owners.
Crews are currently removing and replacing the bridge’s deck overlay. County officials expect the project to take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete.
Upcoming State Road 58 Disruptions
In addition to the county’s work on Stars Boulevard, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is finalizing plans for two major infrastructure projects along State Road 58 that will further squeeze Lawrence County traffic.
State Road 58 Bridge Deck Overlay (Near Bedford)
INDOT will soon close on State Road 58 between Stars Boulevard and Shawswick Station Road to perform a bridge deck overlay of its own. State officials predict this rehabilitation project will take approximately 75 days to complete.
An official start date has not yet been locked in, but local officials promise to release those details as soon as INDOT provides the final schedule.
2. Structure Replacements Near Heltonville
Further down the road, a separate INDOT project will target State Road 58 between County Road 450 East and Kurtz Street. This project involves a full closure to upgrade local culverts and small bridges. Local traffic will be permitted up to the point of the closure.
Drivers needing to navigate around the S.R. 58 closures will need to budget extra time for their daily commutes.
| Project Zone | Estimated Duration | Official Detour Route |
| Stars Boulevard Bridge | 30 to 60 Days | Use local alternate routes; access restricted to residents. |
| S.R. 58 (Bedford & Heltonville) | 75 Days / Ongoing | State Road 37, U.S. 50, and State Road 446. |
Real-time traffic updates and official state construction notices across the district can be found on the INDOT Vincennes District webpage or via status updates on the INDOT Southwest Facebook page.
