INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Transportation is warning drivers of a major change to interstate traffic affecting the south and west sides of Indianapolis.
Starting Friday night, traffic patterns on the southwest side of Indianapolis will change to allow the Interstate 69 Finish Line project to enter its next phase of construction: widening and rebuilding I-465 eastbound, which will include a new bridge over the White River.
Beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 10 through 5 a.m. on Monday, March 13, traffic on westbound I-465 between I-65 and I-70 on the city’s southwest side will be limited to a single lane. During the weekend restrictions, crews will shift the westbound lanes to the north in preparation for an eastbound switch later in the month.
During the double-lane restriction, the speed limit on westbound I-465 will be reduced to 45 miles per hour. The speed limit on eastbound I-465 will remain at 55 miles per hour, and all motorists are encouraged to slow down, pay attention to changing conditions and limit distractions.
This short video shows where roadways and ramps are restricted during the weekend work. A graphic representation of the same information can be found here.
To reduce traffic volume and the number of conflict points in the construction zone, several westbound entrance ramps to I-465 will close during this weekend’s lane restrictions. Starting Friday at 8 p.m., the following ramps will be closed:
- I-65 southbound to I-465 westbound
- I-65 northbound to I-465 westbound
- U.S. 31 southbound to I-465 westbound
- U.S. 31 northbound to I-465 westbound
- S.R. 37 (Harding Street) southbound to I-465 westbound
The U.S. 31 southbound to I-465 westbound ramp closure will remain in place through the end of the project in 2024. All other ramps will reopen by 5 a.m. on Monday, March 13.
A similar restriction for eastbound I-465 is currently scheduled for March 24-27, but those dates could change depending on weather conditions.
During the weekend of westbound restrictions, I-65 northbound traffic will be detoured north to I-70 westbound at the South Split. The nearest entry point east of the I-465 westbound work zone will be Emerson Avenue.
Drivers should expect increased congestion during the restrictions and plan ahead to find alternate routes.
The most current information about closures and restrictions can be found on INDOT’s TrafficWise map at 511in.org.