A major slip which has closed State Road 62 for more than two weeks. NMLRA

(Friendship, Ind.) - State Road 62 is still closed two weeks after part of the highway collapsed.

Heavy rains caused a major slip in the road between Friendship and Dillsboro April 26.

The Indiana Department of Transportation says engineers have since been taking core samples and examining the extent of the damage.

“At this time we do not have a timeline of when SR 62 will be opened,” said Beth A Hamilton, Administrative Assistant for Communications with INDOT’s Seymour District office.

Hamilton added that signage has been placed on SR 62 letting motorists know the highway is open only to Farmers Retreat Road in Dearborn County and to Friendship in Ripley County.

The closure could create some big traffic headaches when thousands of people begin heading to Friendship for the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association’s Spring Shoot and the Frienship Flea Market in June.

The NMLRA has posted on its website three alternate routes for visitors to use:

-Alternate route 1: Continue on State Highway 50 to Elrod, turning left (South) onto Friendship Road (by Helena Chemical Company).

NMLRA

-Alternate route 2: Continue on State Highway 50 going to Versailles, turn left (South) at the stoplight onto State Highway 421. Continuing approximately ½ mile, take State Highway 129 (turning left at the Indiana State Police Post). Travel approximately 10 miles coming into the town of Olean, turn left onto Olean Road (if you pass the Lutheran Church you missed Olean Road!). At the end of Olean Road take a left onto State Road 62 which will take you into Friendship. 

-Alternate route #3: If you prefer to stay on a two-lane highway to get to Friendship, instead of turning onto Olean Road, stay on State Highway 129 (approximately 5 miles) and turn left onto State Road 62 which will take you into Friendship. 

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Roads Are Casualties Of Rain, Flood