INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Transportation plans to reopen westbound lanes of Interstate 70 through the North Split interchange this weekend.
Weather permitting, the westbound lanes of I-70 are expected to be open by Sunday morning, according to INDOT.
Drivers should expect to see crews shutting down the I-70 westbound ramp to Michigan Street Friday night at 9 p.m. to place pavement markings and move the temporary barrier wall. During the closure of the ramp, traffic can access downtown using the Martin Luther King Jr./West streets exit off Interstate 65 north.
The ramp will reopen Sunday morning to I-70 westbound through the South Split.
There will also be intermittent lane restrictions on I-70 westbound from Emerson Avenue to the North Split on Friday and Saturday nights. Drivers are asked to slow down in this area and watch for new traffic patterns as the lanes reopen.
After Sunday, drivers will be able to travel along I-70 westbound from the east side of Indianapolis and continue through the North Split onto I-70 westbound on the south side of downtown.
Last week, I-70 eastbound was opened through the North Split interchange.
Traffic on northbound I-65 will continue to detour along I-70 westbound at the South Split, and I-65 southbound traffic traveling through Indianapolis will continue using the detour along I-465 until the I-65 ramps through the splits are completely open in late spring of 2023.
The Meridian/Pennsylvania streets ramp will remain closed until I-65 is open. In the new North Split interchange configuration, drivers will no longer have access to the ramp from I-70 westbound. This will eliminate the weaving pattern across multiple lanes, making the exit safer.
Downtown access points
- I-70 westbound collector/distributor exit ramp to Michigan Street (13-ton weight restriction)
- I-65 northbound/ I-70 eastbound exit ramp to Washington Street (13-ton weight restriction)
- I-70 westbound to Martin Luther King. Jr./West streets
- I-65 southbound to Meridian/Illinois streets
- All existing ramps on I-70 west of the South Split