Verizon Wireless has begun constructing a new cell tower about a mile outside of Milan. provided by Carrie Bruns

(Milan, Ind.) - Verizon Wireless says it will expand its cell phone coverage area to include a portion of eastern Ripley County which has long been a dead zone.

A Verizon spokesperson tells Eagle 99.3 a new cell tower is going up in Elrod that will cover that town as well as Milan.

“I cannot confirm a completion date; however, we anticipate it being turned up before the end of the summer,” said Michelle Gilbert, Verizon’s public relations manager for the Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky Region.

The tower is currently under construction near the intersection of County Road 625 East and County Road 200 North, about a mile southwest of Milan.

Verizon was given approval of a variance to build the tower by county officials in 2009.

In 2010, Gilbert said Verizon would likely allow other carrier like AT&T to rent space on their tower.