By now, those using U.S. Highway 31 in Scottsburg have hopefully become accustomed to driving on the newly-repaved west side lanes.

The shift of motorists from the east side to the improved west side occurred about 1:45 p.m. on Monday, July 25, just as paving crews with the state's contractor, Dave O'Mara, finished laying down new asphalt. Drivers are still restricted to one lane north and one lane south, both of which measure about ten feet in width. Anyone with a wider load than that is going to have to make other arrangements, either using Interstate 65 or, if that's not possible, going west of Scottsburg and using Boatman Road or going nearly 15 miles east and using State Road 3.

As noted in a past news release from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), the work in Scottsburg ground to a halt for several weeks while the contractor and state engineers worked out a more comprehensive plan to repair and repave U.S. 31 in Scottsburg. Too much damage to the highway's original concrete base was revealed when work crews first milled up the old asphalt on the east lanes, necessitating a change in engineering plans.

In the words of INDOT media specialist Harry Maginity, “You don't lay down new pavement over a bad base.”

Those plans worked out, crews were back in Scottsburg soon after July 5, and work on the areas needing attention began. It was a lot of work, some spots being excavated several feet and filled in with stone before new concrete was poured.

Repaving on the west side lanes began late last week. By early Monday afternoon, crews had restriped what they'd paved, and traffic was switched over so similar work could be done on the east side lanes.

Plan and be patient when using U.S. 31: the Scottsburg restriction is scheduled to last for two more months. Eventually, crews will have the highway repaved from U.S. Highway 50 in Seymour to West Lake Road on Scottsburg's south side.

Those using U.S. 31 through Austin have it no better.

Deteriorating roadbed has been removed, and the highway's subgrade is now being stabilized. Paving in Austin is not expected to begin until the second week of August.

Hose who want to keep current on highway work zones and other traffic alerts can learn more at indot.carsprogram.org or by calling 1-800-261-7623 or 511 from a mobile phone. A couple of social media sites are also set up to provide such information, Use www.Facebook.com/INDOTSoutheast or Twitter_@INDOTSoutheast. People can also subscribe to receive text and email alerts at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/INDOT/subscriber/new.

Two separate vehicular accidents east of Austin happening on State Road 256 injured a total of seven people, two of which were small children.

In the first crash, a 2001 Honda Accord being driven east by 16-year-old Moriah L. Gibson Berger apparently swerved shortly after 1 p.m. on Monday, July 11, while coming around a curve 300 feet west of New Frankfort Road. The car went across the center and struck a westbound 2014 GMC Yukon operated by Melissa Robinson, 51, Deputy. The accident was described as a “sideswipe.”

Both the Honda and the SUV went off the road. Deputies Jac Sanders and Josh Watterson and Reserve Deputy B.J. Best found them on opposite sides of the highway beyond the point of impact.

Scott County EMS was summoned. Technicians transported Berger and her front seat passenger, Threnton A. Hearon, 15, Scottsburg, to Scott Memorial Hospital by ambulance. Berger suffered facial and neck injuries, and Hearon experienced neck pain.

Another, unidentified passenger in the Berger car who had been seated in the back of the Honda was treated at the scene for injuries to his mouth.

Berger was cited for two infractions, one for not having her learner's permit with her and a second for driving left of center.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene. Total property damage was estimated at up to $25,000.

Five more accidents happened during the week, but none involved injuries, though one was interesting.

Joshua L. Klossner, 31, Scottsburg, was driving south on U.S. Highway 31 during a driving rainstorm late Friday afternoon, July 15. As he negotiated the wet road, a tree fell on top of his 1999 Dodge Durango about 300 feet north of Everitt Road.

Klossner was not hurt in the incident, but the tree fell with force and caused up to $10,000 damage to his vehicle.

Possible brake failure may have been a factor in a two-vehicle crash that occurred just before 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, on S.R. 256 at its intersection with Terry Road.

Derrek S. Chapman, 18, was driving a 2003 Chevy Monte Carlo south on Terry Rd. He told Deputy Josh Watterson that he applied the brakes as he came to the intersection with S.R. 256 but his car continued on and was struck in the front passenger fender by a 2006 Ford Fusion driven by Roy Coomer, 61, Deputy.

Chapman refused treatment at the scene, but three people in the Coomer car were treated for injuries. Coomer experience pain in his shoulder/upper arm. Two children, Ethan Coomer, 1, and Derrek Spicer, 3, were in child restraint devices, but were listed with possible, unspecified injuries. All were transported by Scott County EMS ambulance to Scott Memorial.

Chapman's passenger in the front seat, Charles S. Robinson, 18, Scottsburg, was described as having neck pain. He too refused treatment at the scene.

Property damage from the mishap was estimated at up to $25,000, including landscaping at a church on the southeast corner of the intersection. Both vehicles came to rest on that corner after impact.