Crews are out this week in Noble and LaGrange Counties as INDOT begins surface work that could slow traffic and raise eyebrows — but promises smoother roads down the line.

Stretch Between Kendallville and South Milford Gets Attention

If you’re planning to drive through northern Indiana this week, you might want to think twice before heading down State Road 3. On Tuesday, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) kicked off a fresh round of maintenance on a key stretch of S.R. 3 between Kendallville and South Milford.

This isn’t your average patchwork either. Crews are doing full seal coat operations, a process that involves laying down liquid asphalt and then covering it with loose stone to protect the road from cracking and water damage. It’s messy, it’s noisy, and yes — it means delays.

But hey, better now than mid-winter pothole season.

Through Traffic? Not This Time

Let’s get this out of the way first: you’re not driving straight through.

INDOT is strongly advising all through traffic to find another route while the work is ongoing. There’s no official detour map, but let’s be honest — GPS is your best friend here. Local traffic? You’re still allowed through. But don’t get too comfortable.

A spokesperson from INDOT put it simply: “Use caution. This is a construction zone. Stay alert.”

That warning comes as crews not only apply hot liquid asphalt but also spread loose chips — the kind that tend to bounce up and chip your paint job if you’re speeding through.

One-lane closures, flaggers waving you down, and reduced speed limits are all part of the plan. So if you’re in a hurry, maybe grab a coffee and take the scenic route.

What’s Actually Happening to the Road?

It might sound technical, but it’s actually pretty straightforward. INDOT is using a tried-and-tested method called chip sealing, often used on lower-traffic state highways like this one.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Liquid asphalt is sprayed over the existing pavement

• Crews spread crushed stone or aggregate across it

• Rollers push the stones into the asphalt for better contact

• After a curing period, excess gravel is swept off

• A fog seal — a thin layer of diluted asphalt — is added for smoothness and durability

• Pavement markings are reapplied to complete the surface

Why do this? Because seal coating helps roads last longer without needing full repaving — which can cost millions. INDOT says it helps lock out moisture, seal up small cracks, and stretch maintenance budgets a bit further.

No Finish Line Just Yet

Unlike some road projects where you can circle a date on your calendar, this one’s a little more open-ended. INDOT hasn’t committed to a finish date.

Why? Weather. Specifically, rain.

If there’s too much moisture in the air, the asphalt can’t set properly. If temperatures dip too low, same problem. And if wind kicks up loose aggregate, well, you get the idea. It’s basically roadwork roulette.

One official said, “We monitor conditions daily. We move fast when weather cooperates, but delays are always a risk.”

Translation: keep checking the INDOT traffic website if this is part of your daily route.

Local Drivers Shrug, Roll Their Eyes — Then Cooperate

You’d think folks in Kendallville or South Milford might be frustrated — and they are, a bit — but most also get it. This is just part of life in a state where freeze-thaw cycles batter the roads every year.

“I’d rather deal with a week of gravel and detours than potholes every two blocks,” said one South Milford resident waiting at a flagged stop.

Another driver told us, “It’s annoying. But they warned us. We just plan around it.”

Still, people are watching. No one wants a months-long mess.

Table: Key Facts at a Glance

A Bit of Patience Goes a Long Way

Honestly, it’s not glamorous. No ribbon cutting. No groundbreaking photos with shiny helmets. Just hot asphalt, dust, orange cones, and flaggers doing their best to keep traffic moving.

But these small projects matter. They keep roads drivable, save taxpayers money, and — if all goes well — prevent bigger headaches later.

So if you’re driving through northern Indiana this week, keep an eye on the signs. Slow down. And maybe leave five minutes early.

This stretch of S.R. 3 will thank you later.