TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– The start of construction on Springhill Drive has been delayed indefinitely, according to the Vigo County highway director Larry Robbins.

The multimillion dollar project, which is set to add a center lane to Springhill between 7th Street and Erie Canal Road, was supposed to start on March 13th. However, Robbins said they are currently awaiting utilities to be moved in the area.

“There were signs out there, the road will be closed on or after March 13th, obviously that didn’t happen,” he said. “We’re just going to play it by ear now to see when they can get the utilities relocated. I’m told that they are waiting on materials, we’re still dealing with some of these demands and some of these supply issues we’ve been dealing with in the past.”

The county, along with the state’s department of transportation, have been working on the project for years. Robbins said the work is long overdue. 

“That was the highest accident corridor in the county when that project was conceived,” he said.  “Traffic in general there has picked up the past 15 to 20 years to the point those breaks aren’t there anymore, it takes a while to get a break in traffic to make that movement. It was backing up traffic in either direction if someone wanted to turn left, it took a long time. We had congestion and accidents in that corridor, so that’s the main reason for the project.”

When construction does start, Robbins said one lane will always remain open for businesses and residents in the area. He said the current timeline projects the work will wrap up sometime in late 2023.