Two-way traffic is back on Bevelhymer Road between Millbrook Farm and Walnut Street in New Albany, wrapping up a five-week widening project that had funneled drivers into a single northbound lane since around July 10.
The reopening closes out the final major construction phase of the $6.8 million Bevelhymer Road and Walnut Street roundabout improvement project, which broke ground Sept. 2, 2025. The city had targeted mid-August for restoring full access, and crews met that deadline.
Since July 10, southbound drivers had been detoured through Walnut Street, SR-605 and Central College Road. Millbrook Farm subdivision residents kept two-way access to their neighborhood throughout the restriction.
$6.8 million project nears finish
General contractor Trucco Construction Company holds the $5 million construction contract, funded from the city's 2025 Capital Improvement Fund. Franklin County contributed $750,000 under a cooperative agreement approved by city council in August 2025.
The roundabout intersection itself opened in late 2025. At the Jan. 6, 2026, council meeting, council member Kist said the project was not yet finished, noting utility companies were slow to complete their work. The road widening that just wrapped was the last major piece.
A companion waterline project at the intersection, contracted separately to Elite Excavating Company of Ohio for $1.5 million, installed more than 6,700 linear feet of water main extending service to the future Joint Parks District fieldhouse.
Leisure trails up next
With pavement work done, crews will shift to building leisure trails along the corridor. The trail extension will run south on the western side of Bevelhymer Road to New Albany Road East and west on the northern side of Walnut Street to the Rocky Fork Park entrance, connecting gaps in the city's more than 84-mile trail network.
The city's 2025 annual report called the roundabout opening a milestone that "enhanced traffic flow and safety in a key recreational area."
Motorists should still expect some traffic impacts during the trail phase. No completion date for that work has been announced.
What's ahead
New Albany has several road projects in motion:
- Beech Road widening: As we reported Aug. 6, the four-lane expansion begins in September and will restrict traffic through 2027.
- Data center corridor roundabout: The city is also planning a new roundabout on the business park corridor to handle growing truck and commuter traffic.
- Bevelhymer leisure trails: Construction continues along the Bevelhymer-Walnut corridor with no end date set.
