Dorbett Street Daytime Closure for Four-Week Water Main Project
The Jasper Municipal Water Department will close Dorbett Street to through traffic between W. 9th and W. 13th Streets during daytime hours for about four weeks as part of a water‑main replacement that also affects 13th Street. The closure aims to modernize drinking water infrastructure while maintaining access to the Lange‑Fuhs Cancer Center, but residents should expect altered travel patterns and plan accordingly.
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The Jasper Municipal Water Department has announced a daytime closure of Dorbett Street to through traffic between W. 9th and W. 13th Streets for roughly four weeks as crews replace a section of the water main that is also part of work on 13th Street. The department said the work will proceed during daytime hours and that access to the Lange‑Fuhs Cancer Center on Dorbett Street will remain open throughout construction.
Municipal officials framed the project as a necessary infrastructure upgrade to replace aging water main components. While the department’s statement does not provide a detailed construction schedule or specific work hours, the agency conveyed that the closure is limited to through traffic, implying local access for adjacent properties will be preserved. The city has not released formal detour maps in the department notice, and drivers should expect changed traffic patterns along nearby streets.
For many Dubois County residents, the closure will be felt in daily commutes, school runs and local deliveries. Motorists who normally use Dorbett Street as an east‑west corridor between W. 9th and W. 13th will need to choose alternate routes during the daytime work period. Business owners and service providers on or near Dorbett should be prepared for intermittent impacts to customer access and deliveries, even though the department has indicated the cancer center will remain reachable.
The decision to preserve access to the Lange‑Fuhs Cancer Center highlights one priority in municipal project planning: maintaining access to health care facilities during public works. Residents should monitor local signage and follow any posted temporary traffic controls so emergency vehicle paths and daily operations are not impeded.
Beyond immediate traffic concerns, the water‑main replacement carries longer‑term implications for local infrastructure and public service reliability. Replacing older water mains can reduce the risk of breaks, improve water pressure, and limit service disruptions—outcomes that align with municipal responsibilities for safe, dependable drinking water. The expense and planning required for such projects also reflect ongoing investment needs in aging community utilities.
The Jasper Municipal Water Department is the lead agency for the project. Residents who have questions or who rely on Dorbett Street for regular access should look for updates from the department and the city of Jasper for specific scheduling, traffic advisories and any changes to the stated plan. Local civic engagement during construction provides an opportunity for residents to weigh in on timing, signage and mitigation measures that reduce disruption to daily life while infrastructure work proceeds.
