Signs of summer: Road work ahead in Indianapolis area
The signs of impending summer are all around — pools are being prepped to open, the school year is winding down, and construction season in Central Indiana is about to hit overdrive.
Although summer roadwork can be inconvenient for travelers, most projects this year should have minimal effect on traffic, Indiana Department of Transportation officials say.
"We're talking short-term lane restrictions and ramp restrictions, most of them taking place overnight and over weekends," INDOT spokesman Nathan Riggs said. "Obviously, the U.S. 31 closure in Carmel is an exception to that," but it shouldn't have the same traffic effect as interstate closures of past summers.
U.S. 31, Carmel: INDOT is upgrading the highway to freeway standards from I-465 to just south of Keystone Parkway. The $141million Carmel contract includes interchange improvements at I-465, an overpass at 126th Street and new roundabout interchanges at 106th, 116th, 131st and 136th streets. The highway is closed between Old Meridian and 136th and will reopen before Thanksgiving. Information: www.US31HamiltonCounty.in.gov and www.US31Closure.com.
U.S. 31, Westfield: The highway is restricted to one lane in each direction between Ind. 38 and 169th Street while INDOT upgrades it to freeway standards between Ind. 38 and 161st Street. Both directions are sharing the northbound side of the highway while construction on the southbound lanes is completed. After that, traffic will shift to those lanes so northbound construction can take place. The $63 million contract includes new interchanges at Ind. 32 and 191st Street and will be completed by the end of next year. Information: www.US31HamiltonCounty.in.gov and www.US31Closure.com.
Operation Indy Commute, I-69: INDOT is adding auxiliary lanes to southbound I-69 to connect to interchange ramps at 82nd, 96th and 116th streets. Motorists can expect overnight and weekend restrictions. Four lanes temporarily are shifted to the left, and the shoulder is restricted by a barrier wall. Work on the $11 million project is underway, and the new southbound lanes are expected to open in June. Information: www.in.gov/indot/3071.htm
Operation Indy Commute, I-65: As part of the $40 million project, INDOT is replacing the single-lane westbound I-465 loop ramp to southbound I-65 with a two-lane flyover ramp and widening the ramp from northbound I-65 to eastbound I-465 to two lanes. INDOT also will widen and rebuild the right shoulder of I-65 in both directions between I-465 and Southport Road to provide new ramp/merge lanes. No long-term lane or ramp restrictions are planned. The improved portions of the interstate will open in November. Information: www.in.gov/indot/3072.htm
I-70, from Ind. 9 to Mount Comfort Road: One of the westbound lanes is diverted across the median to share eastbound traffic while workers make pavement repairs. There will be some overnight and weekend restrictions west of Greenfield until August, when contractors are expected to finish the $15.2 million project.
I-69, from Ind. 37 to Ind. 26: INDOT crews will repair and replace damaged pavement through Delaware and Madison counties, north and east of Fishers. There will be overnight and weekend lane restrictions in various locations through the project's completion in November.
East Street Bridge over I-70: The bridge is limited to one lane in each direction while crews rebuild and raise the bridge. There will be some overnight and weekend closures on I-70, as well as flagging and intermittent closures of East Street until November, when all lanes are set to open.
I-70, from Ind. 3 to Ind. 109: Drivers can expect overnight and weekend lane restrictions while crews repair and resurface this seven-mile section of the highway. The $7.7 million project will be completed in November.
I-70, from Centerville Road to Ohio state line: There will be some overnight and weekend restrictions while crews repair and replace damaged pavement near the Richmond exits. Part of the work will be complete by July, and the rest will be finished by June 2015.
Safe-driving tips for work zones
• Stay alert and minimize distractions. Don't text, talk or adjust vehicle controls.
• Expect the unexpected. Normal speed limits may be reduced, lanes may change and workers may be nearby.
• Slow down. Speeding is the major cause of work zone crashes.
• Don't tailgate. The most common work zone crash is a rear-end collision.
• Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and highway workers.
• Keep up with traffic. Maintain traffic flow and posted speeds by merging as soon as possible.
• Pay attention to warning signs.
• Obey road crew flaggers.
• Leave early and expect delays.
• Be patient.
Source: Indiana Department of Transportation