INDIANAPOLIS — A significant, temporary closure of southbound Interstate 65 has begun in downtown Indianapolis, and INDOT is advising drivers to seek alternate routes.
Starting at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, crews closed I-65 southbound between West and Alabama streets for up to 16 days for bridge deck patching and joint repairs. Lane restrictions on I-65 southbound begin at 29th Street and continue to the point of the closure. Traffic is required to exit I-65 southbound at West Street.
Those traveling in the area on Wednesday, Oct. 16 called the closure “frustrating.”
“You need a lot of patience,” Vickie Washington said. “I don't know where that idea came from or what brilliant person thought of it, but it's really a hassle.”
Wanda Shearer is a DoorDash driver in Indy. She is struggling to find ways around the construction mess while picking up and dropping off deliveries.
“My thoughts on the construction in Indy is that it's crazy,” Shearer said. “It causes extra time and a little bit of money out of my pocket."
INDOT originally planned to start the project Friday, Oct. 18, which meant the closures would've still been in effect Nov. 1-3 when Taylor Swift is performing The Eras Tour at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The following entrance ramps were also closed starting at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15:
- 38th Street eastbound to I-65 southbound
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street southbound to I-65 southbound
- 29th Street eastbound and 30th Street westbound to I-65 southbound
- 21st Street eastbound and westbound to I-65 southbound
- West Street northbound to I-65 southbound
The following exit ramps are not accessible from I-65 southbound:
- I-65 southbound to Meridian Street
- I-65 southbound to Michigan Street, Ohio Street and Fletcher Avenue
- I-65 southbound to I-70 eastbound and westbound
All other exit ramps on I-65 southbound between 38th and West streets will remain open during the work.
According to INDOT, I-65 southbound and affected ramps are expected to reopen by the end of October.
Here are suggested alternate routes, provided by INDOT:
- I-65 southbound to I-465 southbound/eastbound on the west side
- I-65 southbound to I-865 eastbound to I-465 eastbound/southbound on the east side
- West Street to I-70
- I-65 southbound to downtown Indianapolis should exit at or before West Street. Traffic will be required to exit at West Street.
INDOT is reminding drivers to consider the safety of construction workers by slowing down, using caution and avoiding distractions when traveling in and near work zones.
Click here for more information on the project.