INDIANAPOLIS – A three-week closure of I-465 southbound on the southeast side is part of an effort to patch potholes and extend the life of the aging interstate.
Starting May 31, the Indiana Department of Transportation will close I-465 southbound between I-70 and I-65. Pavement patching, joint repairs and bridge work will be part of the 21-day project.
INDOT decided to close the entirety of the southbound corridor so crews can work quickly without worrying about oncoming traffic, said Kyleigh Cramer, the agency’s public relations director.
“Starting Friday, we are going to see I-465 southbound shut down from I-70 to I-65 on the southeast side of 465. This is just to help our crews stay safe while we do some patching work,” Cramer said.
Several ramps to southbound I-465 will close:
- I-70 eastbound and westbound to I-465 southbound (5/31 at 7 p.m.)
- Washington St./U.S. 40 eastbound and westbound to I-465 southbound (5/31 at 9 a.m.)
- Brookville Rd./U.S. 52 eastbound and westbound to I-465 southbound (5/31 at 9 a.m.)
- Shadeland Ave. southbound to I-465 southbound (6/1 at 9 a.m.)
- Southeastern Ave./Old U.S. 421 to I-465 southbound (6/1 at 9 a.m.)
- I-74 westbound to I-465 southbound (6/1 at 9 a.m.)
- Emerson Ave. northbound and southbound to I-465 westbound (6/1 at 9 a.m.)
- Pendleton Pike eastbound and westbound to I-465 southbound (5/30 at 9 p.m.)
Drivers will also see restrictions on I-465 southbound just north of the I-70 interchange, with traffic restricted to three lanes starting near 46th Street. During the weekends, I-465 southbound will be reduced to two lanes along that stretch.
INDOT’s recommended detour is I-70 westbound to I-65 southbound to get back to I-465 southbound.
“There’s many factors that factor into why we’re doing this section,” Cramer said. “We’ve seen a lot of calls from our call center. A lot of people have been asking about and reporting potholes in this area.”
INDOT workers have also observed the need for patching work along I-465. This specific closure is slated to last 21 days, Cramer said, and should wrap up in mid-June.
“Whatever we get done over those 21 days is what we’re going to get done,” Cramer said, adding that weather isn’t a factor in the length of the project.
“We’re going to be out there quite a bit,” Cramer said. “Again, we have 21 days to get all of it done and we’re going to use all that time afforded for us and be in and out as quickly as possible.”
Cramer acknowledged the closure will create some traffic headaches for drivers used to taking 465.
“We know that this is an inconvenience. We really appreciate the motoring public’s patience with us during this time,” Cramer said.
According to Cramer, the three-week span represented the “best time” to do the repairs.
“We try to maintain life expectancy as long as possible for our roadway. I-465 is receiving a lot of work, we’ve seen with 465 Clear Path and the I-69 Finish Line project, it’s kind of reaching the end of its capacity and lifespan. We’re trying to maintain the lifespan for as long as possible.”
The ramps set to close during the 21-day span could also see repairs if needed.
INDOT doesn’t consider this to be a “major project” like 465 Clear Path or I-69 Finish Line, Cramer said, envisioning it instead as needed road maintenance. INDOT has to coordinate the patching work with other ongoing projects, representing some logistical challenges.
The northbound side will get the same treatment and ramp closures soon. INDOT will provide additional information about the northbound closure in the weeks to come, Cramer said.