I-65 Traffic Shift Rescheduled to Sunday, March 19
Construction contractors plan to shift traffic lanes Sunday night at the $19.6 million project rebuilding six bridges on Interstate 65 over I-465 and Lick Creek on the south side of Indianapolis.
Recent temperatures and precipitation have postponed the traffic shift, which will restrict southbound I-65 to two lanes and shift both directions of traffic toward the right shoulders.
Preliminary work to maintain traffic during bridge construction
Preparing traffic control for the first phase of bridge construction requires multiple overnight lane restrictions between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. (Construction schedules are subject to change.)
Three northbound lanes are currently shifted left toward the median while crews pave to widen the right interstate shoulder in preparation for the first phase of bridge construction.
Starting Sunday, March 19, at 9 p.m., contractors will close up to two lanes of northbound and southbound I-65 to paint temporary lane markings and shift three northbound lanes and two southbound lanes toward the right shoulders. While traffic is shifted to the right, crews will be removing sections of concrete wall, which will allow for shifting traffic across the median.
Midweek, subject to weather forecasts, two lanes of southbound I-65 will be shifted across the median to share the widened northbound side of the interstate. Opposing directions of traffic will be separated by temporary concrete barriers. Traffic is expected to remain in this Phase 1 configuration through mid-summer.
After traffic is shifted to Phase 1, subsequent overnight closures of up to two lanes on I-465 and some ramp closures will be scheduled between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. as the existing southbound I-65 bridge over I-465 is removed. Specific locations, dates and times of these restrictions will be announced in advance.
Traffic during construction
Traffic lane shifts, median crossovers and ramp closures are necessary to complete the project in phases while maximizing safety and mobility. Northbound I-65 will have three lanes and southbound I-65 will have two lanes throughout construction.
I-465 underneath the bridges will have closed shoulders and overnight lane closures. Specific dates and traffic restrictions will be announced in advance and communicated to motorists using electronic message signs. All interstate lane closures will be scheduled between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The I-65 and I-465 speed limits will be reduced to 55 mph through the work zone and further reduced to 45 mph when workers are present and lights are flashing.
Ramp closures ahead
The southbound I-65 ramp to eastbound I-465 is scheduled to close in April for up to 150 days. During the ramp closure, signed detours will direct traffic to Southport Road (Exit 103) to return northbound and access eastbound I-465.
Later this summer, both directions of I-65 traffic will be shifted to share the southbound side of the interstate while construction is completed on the northbound side. Phase 2 will also close the northbound I-65 ramp to westbound I-465 for up to 150 days.
Bridge construction is expected to be substantially complete, with all lanes and ramps open to traffic, before the end of this year.
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