FOUNTAIN CITY, Ind. – A construction project will soon be coming to U.S. 27 through Fountain City.

The contract was awarded to Milestone Paving and will include resurfacing asphalt as well as constructing new curbs and gutters. The project stretches from south of South Street to north of North Street, with two projects being done at once.

The south portion will focus on pavement. “That gutter and that curb we’re talking about, some new sidewalks and driveways, some select areas to make them ADA accessible,” said INDOT Public Relations Director Jordan Yaney. The north side will focus on small pipe work. Combining the projects aims to improve traffic flow along the corridor.

“It’s long overdue. It’s time for a new pavement through there,” Yaney said.

Once construction begins, lanes will be slightly narrower, but most work will take place at the side of the road and won’t require closures on U.S. 27. Some side streets may experience temporary access restrictions.

The exact schedule hasn’t been released, but work is anticipated to start in 2026. “You might be seeing some things out there now. We’ve had some utility pulls moved,” Yaney said.

“This is something that we’re excited to be able to do. It is still early on, but we wanted to get the message out there early because we know that U.S. 27 is kind of the heart of Fountain City. It’s that main artery through town.”

A total of $2.5 million has been awarded for the project. Yaney asked that once construction kicks off, drivers stay cautious and slow down.

“Just give us some patience and slowdown in work zones,” Yaney said. “It takes one distracted driver just for a little bit for something to go really wrong.”

INDOT also has a 24-hour customer service line available for questions regarding construction, road conditions, and more. That number is 855-INDOT4U.

EATON, Ohio - The Preble County Chamber of Commerce has opened nominations for its annual Platinum Playlist Awards Gala.

The event is scheduled for January 24, 2026, at Henny Penny Owner's Hall in Eaton.

The event recognizes individuals, businesses, educators, and organizations that have made a significant impact in Preble County. This year's theme, "Platinum Playlist," reflects a focus on those who have demonstrated excellence in service, innovation, and community involvement. 

Categories for nominations include: Business of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, Educator of the Year, Emerging Leader, and others recognizing community contributions.

Community members are encouraged to submit nominations. Neither nominators nor nominees are required to be Chamber members.

"Our goal is to honor the individuals and organizations who make a lasting difference right here in Preble County," said Stacy Hess, Interim Director of the Preble County Chamber of Commerce, in a press release.

The gala features an awards ceremony, dinner, and live entertainment. This event is hosted as part of the Chamber's mission to support economic development, community leadership and collaboration throughout the region.

PREBLE COUNTY, Ohio - Starting with the November 2025 general election, the Preble County Board of Elections will consolidate several polling locations into local schools, citing cost saving, early voting, and improved accessibility for poll workers as reasons.

The decision, announced in Sept. 2025, is intended to streamline voting operations amid increasing early voting and staffing challenges. Under Ohio law, poll workers must serve full shifts, making centralized locations more efficient.

In total, six polling locations will be open for the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Five of those will be located at school buildings, while one will be held at a local church.

The polling locations are:

• Twin Valley Schools
• Preble Shawnee Schools
• Eaton Community Schools
• National Trail Local Schools
• Tri-County North Schools
• Fairhaven Community Church

Voters can confirm their assigned polling location and find additional information by visiting the Preble County Board of Elections website.

WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – The Revive I-70 project is underway in Wayne County, led by the Indiana Department of Transportation to improve the interstate corridor.

“The goal of the project is to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow and safety on I-70 in Wayne County,” said Natalie Garrett, INDOT Strategic Communications Director, in an email.

The project is divided into three work contracts.

Contract 1 covers the eastern portion of the project, stretching just west of U.S. 35 to the Ohio state line. Construction for Contract 1 began in early 2025 and is currently ongoing.

Contract 2 extends from west of State Road 1 to just west of Centerville. As of September, pre-construction activities are underway.

“Shoulder strengthening, a key activity to prepare for construction, is continuing for Contract 2, and the ramp from westbound I-70 to westbound U.S. 40 is anticipated to open late this month after closing in late July to begin reconstructing the U.S. 40 interchange,” Garrett wrote in a September update. “When the ramp reopens, there will be a slight traffic shift to new pavement, and drivers will use half of the new roundabout at the U.S. 40 interchange.”

The current partial cloverleaf interchange at U.S. 40 is being replaced with a diamond interchange featuring single-lane roundabouts. As part of the redesign, the existing loops will be removed.

The speed limit through the work zone will remain 55 mph during construction.

Contract 3 will extend from west of Centerville to U.S. 35. A construction timeline and further details for this phase are still in development.

Safety and mobility improvements are major goals of the Revive I-70 project. Garrett said pavement and bridge work is ongoing through the corridor.

“A common incidence along the Revive I-70 corridor is rear-end crashes and crashes caused by improper lane changes and failure to yield,” Garrett said. “Additionally, median barriers will be installed to reduce or eliminate crossover crashes.”

Currently, I-70 has four travel lanes. The project will add a third lane in each direction, for a total of six, just west of U.S. 35 to the Ohio state line. INDOT crews are widening the roadway by using the existing grassy median.

As part of the project:

• The U.S. 35 interchange is being converted into a diamond interchange with single-lane roundabouts.
• U.S. 40 interchange is also being rebuilt with roundabouts and new pedestrian facilities, including sidewalks.

According to the INDOT Revive I-70 website, two travel lanes in each direction on I-70 will remain open during most of the construction. However, some short-term road closures and detours will be required, particularly during work at the I-70/U.S. 40 interchange.

The Cardinal Greenway Trail in Richmond will be temporarily closed for part of the project, though access to the north and south of the closure will remain available.

Construction for Contracts 1 and 2 is expected to be complete by 2029.

“This project is much-needed and INDOT is making significant investments to improve the commute for drivers on I-70, an important interstate corridor. The pavement replacement and rehabilitation will make a big difference in the driver’s experience,” Garrett stated.

Parsons Corp. is the lead project development and design firm. Contractors include Walsh Construction, Crider & Crider, Rieth Riley Joint Venture, and Milestone and E&B Paving.

Drivers can find more information on ReviveI70.com. The project also provides updates on Facebook and X (@ReviveI70).

Image courtsey of the ReviveI70 Facebook page.