Interstate 70 Lane Closures In Indianapolis Begin

UPDATE:  

All lanes and ramps of eastbound I-70 from the North Split to Interstate 465 on the east side of Indianapolis are set to open back up Wednesday, May 13th.  It’s been a major interstate construction project for the past 30 days. 

Indiana Department of Transportation Spokeswoman Mallory Duncan says a lot of the work was to the bridges. 

There are over 50 bridges in this entire 70 stretch inside the 465 loop and that takes a lot of time and a lot of care to not only work on the bridge above, but work on the structure below, says Duncan.”

INDOT says it took advantage of fewer people on the roads during Indiana’s stay-at-home order to speed up construction and complete the work.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — State highway officials are closing a portion of Interstate 70 in Indianapolis to tackle roadwork during the drop in traffic that followed Indiana’s stay-at-home order amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Indiana Department of Transportation will close eastbound I-70 on Monday between the highway's North Split with Interstate 65 near downtown Indianapolis to Interstate 465 on the city’s east side.

All eastbound lanes and ramps are scheduled to reopen May 13.

INDOT will also close westbound lanes of I-70 on April 23 between the North Split with I-65 and I-465. All westbound lanes and ramps are scheduled to reopen on May 23.

INDOT is recommending a variety of detours for travelers during the closures, depending on which direction they are traveling through Indianapolis.

The state agency said that traffic in Indianapolis is down about 40 percent, on average, compared with the week before Gov. Eric Holcomb issued a stay-at-home order for all but essential workers. The governor has extended that order through at least April 20 to fight the spread of the coronavirus.

Many of the Indianapolis area’s large events and conventions have also been moved to late summer or early fall because of the pandemic.

INDOT said that it and contractor Milestone Contractors opted to accelerate planned construction on I-70 to allow for work to be done before those major events resume. The agency said the I-70 closures are being used to ensure worker safety, reduce overall construction time and maximize taxpayer dollars.

Barrels down, signs up! I-65 NB to I-70 EB is now CLOSED. pic.twitter.com/WPRkf0zASJ

— INDOT East Central (@INDOTEast) April 13, 2020