Burkart South Bypass is Officially Open for Traffic

The Burkart South Bypass is officially open for traffic. On Monday morning, city officials, representatives from Milestone Contractors and HWC Engineering and others gathered on the new overpass for the ribbon cutting ceremony. On Saturday, around 100 community members came out to walk, ride bikes and even rollerblade on the new road. Donald Winn Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 108 members grilled out hot dogs and made snow cones and there were free Laura Jo's Cookies, candy and bottled water for those who participated. Thanks to Milestone and HWC Engineering for sponsoring such fun events and making the opening of Seymour's newest roadway memorable for the community.

Mayor Matt Nicholson shared these words during Monday’s ribbon cutting.

“A few years ago someone told me that a city is either moving forward or it is moving backward. It can not stand still.

Today, as we stand here above the L&I railroad we are celebrating another of many steps forward that we have taken to poise the southeastern and southern areas of Seymour for growth. Some of those completed steps include the creation of an opportunity zone along with the Southeast Interceptor project which opened up more capacity in our sewer system and took seven lift stations off line creating a more efficient system.

Today though as we look at the changes this corridor opens for our community, I need to thank the property owners along this stretch. Change is never easy, but as I was reminded yesterday it will be worth it in the long run. The properties can continue to be used for their current use as long as the owners wish, but in the event they choose to sell, it can change use. I could see the undeveloped 200 feet along the roadway becoming commercial like the first section just north of Highway 50. Behind that is room for much needed housing. Again though, nothing has to change until property owners are ready to sell. It can remain farm ground as long as someone chooses to keep farming it.

We are not done just yet though as the next phase to connect us to Airport Road and back to Highway 50 on the west end of town is already underway. As spring 2022 rolls in we will see major work start to happen and it should create more chances for companies to expand or relocate to Freeman Field.

The thank yous are many, and if I try to individually name them all I am sure I will miss some, so I will leave it as a simple thank you to everyone involved over the last 30 plus years to get us to this point. Much the same, the partners are plentiful and I look forward to working together again soon. “