Hartford City Faces Major Road Closures in 2027 From Two INDOT Projects

From the Blackford County Commissioner Meeting on July 20, 2026

Dan Eckstein appeared before the Blackford County Commissioners to present two upcoming INDOT road projects that will significantly impact Hartford City traffic in 2027. Both detour plans were approved 3-0.

The first project will improve State Road 3 (Walnut Street) from Franklin Street to Park Avenue. The closure will last 245 days — essentially spring through late fall 2027 — with traffic detoured through the Park Avenue Industrial Park to Highway 26.

The second project involves the 200 North/SR 3 intersection near the high school. That closure will last approximately 45 days. The city has asked INDOT to schedule it during summer when school is not in session. Two detour routes were approved: one routing traffic into Hartford City via 300 North to 100 East by the fairgrounds, and another routing traffic to Highway 26 via 300 North to 200 East. The highway superintendent noted that the western detour route won't work for semi trucks due to telephone poles and tight turns near 100 West, so truck traffic will be routed east. New signage will need to be purchased.

A key concern raised during the meeting: if both projects run at the same time, the Walnut Street detour through 200 North won't work because that intersection will also be closed. The 200 North intersection project currently targets December 2027, but that date could change. Detour paperwork from the state will be ready for signing at the next meeting on August 3.

Source: YouTube transcript — Blackford County Commissioner Meeting, July 20, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.