ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- A new road construction contract between St. Joseph County and Rieth-Riley Construction was announced on Tuesday and a closure on Juniper Road is set to begin Thursday morning. 

County officials say a culvert pipe under Juniper Road, between Cleveland and Burke Roads, is to be removed and replaced with new materials.

"This closure will begin around 6 a.m. and is anticipated to be lifted once the pipe installation is satisfactorily completed before the end of the day," said St. Joseph County Department of Infrastructure, Planning, and Growth Project Manager Andrew Hayes.

"During the period of the closure, barricades will be erected on the south end of Juniper, north of Darden Road, to allow access to the former Clay High School grounds. Barricades will also be set at the north end of Juniper at Auten Road although local traffic may travel south on Juniper Road to access residential roads from Auten as far south as Burke Street where another road closure assembly will be across Juniper Road immediately south of Burke Street.:

A detour route will be in place with signage and is set to utilize Hollyhock Road by means of Darden and Auten Roads to bypass the Juniper Road closure.

"As a side note, the following day, June 6, crews will be onsite trimming trees, so some minor delays may be encountered throughout Friday June 6," Hayes said.

"Looking ahead, Juniper Road will is scheduled for asphalt milling and paving for Thursday June 12. During this operation Juniper Road road will remain open, however traffic will be controlled by flaggers so some extended delays may also be encountered during this operation not only along Juniper Road but also all intersecting roads between Cleveland Road and Burke Street as well."