The Indiana Department of Transportation is closing a stretch of McCormick Road in Tippecanoe County permanently.
A cul-de-sac will be built just north of Lindberg Road and another will be built three-quarters of a mile south of U.S. 52. The closure of McCormick is set for Thursday and due to the new U.S. 231 bypass project.
Tippecanoe County Highway Department Executive Director Opal Kuhl says roughly 1,900 cars use McCormick Road each day, and those will have to find a new way to go.
"People usually find whichever route suits them best. So, we'll see an increase on Northwestern Avenue and probably Klondike Road. Then, maybe more will disburse to Lindberg Road, maybe even Cherry Lane."
She thinks the traffic pattern change will be most noticeable during morning and evening rush hours. Overall, Kuhl says it won't be a huge problem, because 1,900 cars per day is not a lot.
"It's just going to be heavier traffic on those two roads until the U.S. 231 bypass project is completed. Then, traffic on those will lighten up, because so much will move onto the new 231."
She says the county is designing upgrades for Lindberg, west of McCormick, and for Klondike, but no money has been allocated for the projects.
Work on the U.S. 231 bypass should be finished September, 2013.