Traffic patterns gnawed at south siders this week because of a resurfacing project on southbound I-65 from the south split to I-465. The full closure has caused major downtown to south side corridors to clog up in the worst way, including favs like West St, S. Meridian St. (S.R. 135), Madison Ave, and U.S. 31:
Your missing husband is still stuck on Madison Ave. He’ll call soon.
Beginning tonight (Friday) at 6pm, INDOT is upping the ante by adding southbound I-65 from the north split to the south split to the already closed section from the south split to I-465. The closure between the splits is scheduled to reopen at 6am, and the section from the south split to I-465 will be available by Monday afternoon at 3pm (hopefully sooner).
Unfortunately, northwest siders will suffer through another week of a complete southbound I-65 shutdown from I-865 (dogleg) to I-465. The maintenance has already added extra minutes to the commute from Lebanon to the Indy metro area, with drivers being forced off at I-865
MORE SUCKTITUDE ON INDIANA INTERSTATES:
They aren’t full closures, but they’re enough to make you late this weekend. Here’s a list of the rest of the major road work with lane restrictions scheduled for Indianapolis and its surroundings:
- I-69 southbound from 116th St. to I-465
2-3 lanes closed
6pm to 6am; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- I-65 southbound from I-465 to Southport Rd. (south side)
1 lane open from Friday at 9pm to Monday at 6am
- I-65 northbound & southbound from I-465 to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. (Exit 117) (northwest side)
2 lanes open in each direction
Friday at 9pm through August 24
- I-465 eastbound to southbound from Keystone Ave. to U.S. 36/S.R. 67 (Pendleton Pike)
1 lane open
Friday at 9pm to Monday at 6am
- I-465 WB from U.S. 31 (Meridian St.) to I-865
1 lane open
Friday at 8pm to Monday at 7am
CENTRAL AVE. BRIDGE TO REOPEN
(but when???)
Midtown commuters rejoiced at the news that Central Ave. Bridge over Fall Creek was scheduled to reopen in July. The route is convenient for drivers given its southbound one way status (converted into a two way last October), but since Central’s bridge has been out of commission for over two years, commuters have been forced to more-less double up on the nearby College Ave. bridge. According to the Department of Public Works (DPW), the $7 million project has taken extra time so the historic nature of the bridge could be preserved.
We reached out to DPW, and although it looks like the bridge is on course to start taking on traffic again in July, a specific date hasn’t been given.
Bedlam will continue through construction season, with more I-70 and I-65 closures to come. Also, a closure of I-465 on the southeast side is coming in August. It’ll be done in sections, which is still enough to muck up your inbound or outbound commute.
Keep checking back. We’ll let you know when details arrive.
-Bair
Matt Bair is the new voice of Indianapolis traffic, and can be followed on Twitter @WIBCTraffic. Tips? Call direct at (317) 684-8134 or the 93 WIBC Newsroom at (317) 637-6397.
