INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — Get ready for more road work ahead as the Indiana Department of Transportation closes portions of I-65 in Indianapolis for roughly 35 days this summer.
INDOT spokesman Scott Manning said the work involves seven bridge restoration projects, six of which are just north of downtown.
Manning said the bridges are all "at the point in their life where they need some preventative maintenance that will extend the useful life of those bridges for probably another 20 years."
The work involves closing I-65 in both directions between Meridian and 21st streets. As a result, southbound traffic along I-65 will have to exit at or before 21st Street while northbound traffic will have to exit at Meridian Street.
Manning said INDOT is closing that section of the interstate because "the width of the outside travel lanes isn't enough to keep two lanes open all the time and maintain space for emergency vehicles to get through in the event of an accident."
He said the work does not involve rebuilding any bridges but does involve bridge deck overlay to eliminate the bumpy surface and years of patch work.
Manning said the work is expected to begin in late June or early July and take no more than 35 days.
"Our estimate is on the high end," he said noting INDOT is working with the city on alternate routes and signal timing to keep disruption to a minimum. He said that's also why the work will be done in the summer.
During that time period, INDOT will also close southbound I-65 between I-65/I-465 on the northwest side, also to do bridge overlay work.
INDOT is holding a public meeting Monday, Feb. 12 from 5–6:30 pm at 7105 Brookville Rd.