Bridge slide will restrict I-70 West to 1 lane for 13 days starting Friday at 9 p.m.

Indiana Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 09/05/2017 02:35 PM EDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Traffic Alert header

Bridge Slide Will Restrict I-70 West to 1 Lane for 13 Days Starting Friday, Sept. 8 at 9 p.m.

Plan alternate routes, backups expected to reach into Ohio
IN-121 (New Paris Pike) will close for bridge demolition

Starting Friday, Sept. 8 at 9 p.m., Walsh Construction Company plans to reduce Interstate 70 West near mile 155 (between U.S. 40 Exit 156 and State Road 227 Exit 153) to a single lane and temporarily divert that lane across the median for up to 13 days for a slide-in bridge construction project.

Drivers should plan for single-lane closures on both directions of I-70 between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights as crews modify lane markings and move concrete barriers in preparation for the I-70 West traffic shift starting Friday night.

Two lanes of I-70 East will be shifted toward the right (south) shoulder. One lane of I-70 West will cross the median to share the eastbound side of the interstate, with opposing directions of traffic separated by temporary concrete barriers.

During that time, the existing westbound bridge will be demolished, the new bridge deck will be slid laterally into place, the pavement approaches to the bridge will be rebuilt and paved, and two lanes of I-70 West traffic will shift back onto the new westbound bridge. 

Significant backups are expected on I-70 West while the interstate is reduced to one lane and diverted across the median. Motorists, especially those with local destinations, are encouraged to seek alternate routes during the 13-day period to minimize traffic and avoid congestion. 

A signed alternate route will encourage traffic - especially truck traffic - to bypass road work by going north on Ohio Route 127, west on U.S. 36 and south on U.S. 27. Wide loads will be prohibited from the I-70 work zone and should follow the signed route as a detour. Through interstate traffic is discouraged from traveling through Richmond, but additional traffic is expected on routes such as U.S. 40 and U.S. 27.

DETOUR MAP

Indiana Route 121 (New Paris Pike) Closure

At the same time, State Road 121 (New Paris Pike) will be closed for up to one week below I-70 as the old structure is demolished and the new bridge deck is slid into place. During this closure, a signed detour will direct highway traffic south to U.S. 40 via U.S. 27 and Ohio Route 320 (Washington Street in New Paris, OH).

New Paris Pike DETOUR

What's Next?

Walsh will then begin building the new I-70 East bridge deck on temporary supports in the median, which will follow a construction and traffic sequence similar to the I-70 West bridge.

The second (I-70 East) bridge slide is scheduled to occur in late October. I-70 East will be reduced to one lane, which will be temporarily diverted across the median for up to 13 days while the existing eastbound bridge is demolished and the new bridge deck is slid into place. 

At the same time, State Road 121 (New Paris Pike) may be closed in order to rebuild pavement and increase clearance below the I-70 bridges. Specific dates will be announced in advance.

For more information and updates on this project, go to http://www.in.gov/indot/3621.htm.

TIME LAPSE VIDEO
See a time-lapse video of Slide-In Bridge Construction of the Milton-Madison Bridge over the Ohio River at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4f_1uC0iXc.

Stay informed

Follow @INDOTEast on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

Subscribe to receive text and email alerts about INDOT projects and services at alerts.indot.in.gov.

Learn about highway work zones and other traffic alerts at indot.carsprogram.org, 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or 511 from a mobile phone.

Next Level Roads