Indianapolis Traffic: Road closures to watch for in July 2022

2022-07-01 10:18:02 By : Ms. Vanessa Feng

There's an end in sight for the $9.2 million project that has wreaked traffic havoc on an infamous X-shaped intersection in the Twin Aire neighborhood. 

But first, a summer of closures.

The city expects the project on Southeastern Avenue, Rural Street and English Avenue — which includes a new roundabout — to be fully open to traffic by the end of this year. To complete the home stretch, a portion of Southeastern Avenue that was previously restricted to one lane of traffic is now closed for six months. 

There is no shortage of equally and more significant closures these summer months, including a crucial cross-river connection, the historic 30th Street bridge.

Here is where to expect to detour in Indianapolis in July:

Delaware/11th Street ramp to I-70 East: Expected to reopen in early July.

Where: Over Central Canal, north of Broad Ripple Avenue.

Why: Bridge maintenance, including partial replacement of the bridge deck, a new overlay and widened sidewalks.

Detour: Use Kessler Boulevard, Meridian Street and 71st Street.

Where: The westbound lane from Illinois Street to Monument Circle and the eastern two lanes of Illinois Street near the intersection with Market Street.

When: Until later this year.

Why: Reconstruction of the roadway and sidewalks, similar to a completed portion of east Market Street.

Detour: Take Illinois to Ohio to Pennsylvania to rejoin Market Street.

Where: Over the White River.

Why: A historic bridge rehabilitation project, which will include a reinforced concrete arch, road and sidewalk replacement, added railing between sidewalks and vehicle lanes.

Detour: Drivers will have to go up north to 38th Street to cross the river, then Kessler Boulevard or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street, back south to 30th Street. Pedestrians and cyclists can use the White River Trail and Cold Springs Road to cross the river at 16th Street.

Where: From 22nd to 25th Streets, 29th Street to Sutherland Avenue, 49th to 56th Streets.

When: Segments will shut down for construction in phases throughout the summer. These are the segment closures slated for the period spanning June, July and August. 

Why: A $1.7 million widening project.

Detour: The pedestrian detour follows College Avenue to the Fall Creek Parkway Trail, then west on 38th Street and north on Winthrop Avenue to rejoin the Monon. The bicycle detour uses 19th Street, New Jersey Street, the Fall Creek Parkway Trail, then a series of neighborhood streets to rejoin the Monon at 56th Street. Full detour maps are at indy.gov/activity/major-transportation-projects.

More: Indy begins widening its portion of the Monon Trail for first time in decades

Where: Westbound lanes from Keystone Avenue to Emerson Avenue.

When: Beginning on or after July 11, lasting up to 130 days.

Why: Storm sewer construction in preparation for the Purple Line.

Detour: Westbound traffic will be detoured via Emerson Avenue, 46th Street and Keystone Avenue. An eastbound lane will remain open.

Where: Between Trowbridge Street and a railroad crossing at about 3400 East Southeastern Avenue, except for the intersection with Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive, where east-west traffic can cross Southeastern Avenue. Rural Street remains closed at English Avenue.

When: Until the end of the year.

Why: Road, sidewalk and drainage improvements near the Community Justice Campus, including a two-lane roundabout at Southeastern Avenue and Rural Street.

Detour: North to Washington Street via State Avenue and Sherman Drive. It's recommended that pedestrians use sidewalks along local roadways: Trowbridge Avenue, Graydon Street, Meredith Avenue, Gray Street and English Avenue.

Detour: Follow Thompson Road, Keystone Avenue and Hanna Avenue.

Where: Between Delaware and Alabama Streets.

Why: A project to convert the street from one-way to two-way traffic.

Detour: Use Alabama, North and Delaware streets.

Where: Between Southeastern and Troy avenues.

Why: To replace the bridge over Miller Ditch.

Detour: Via Southeastern Avenue, Northeastern Avenue, Post Road and East Troy Avenue.

Where: The road beneath I-465, between Avalon Trail Court and Shadeland Avenue. The multi-use trail is open, but will see intermittent closures for bridge work.

When: Through late this year.

Why: To install steel supports for an expanded I-465 bridge over 71st Street as part of the Indiana Department of Transportation's Clear Path project.

Detour: Shadeland Avenue, 75th Street and Binford Boulevard.

Where: The northbound loop ramp onto I-465 westbound.

When: On or after July 5, lasting through 2025.

Why: To keep I-465 westbound traffic flowing through the work zone of INDOT's Clear Path project and to allow for the completion of temporary ramps at the I-69 and I-465 interchange.

Detour: Drivers should expect to find alternate routes for a couple years, INDOT says. 

Where: Between South Butler and Spencer avenues.

Why: Bridge rehabilitation, resulting in expanded travel lanes and 6-foot sidewalks.

Detour: Follow Southeastern Avenue, East Raymond Street and Arlington Avenue.

Where: Between Southeastern Avenue and Raymond Street.

Why: Bridge rehabilitation, resulting in 11-foot travel lanes, 6-foot sidewalks and drainage improvements.

Detour: Use Raymond Street and Southeastern Avenue as alternate north- and southbound routes.

Where: Between Derbyshire Road and Twin Brooks Drive.

Why: To replace the bridge over Derbyshire Creek, including new guardrails and pavement approaches on either side.

Detour: Via McFarland Road, Southport Road and Madison Avenue. Residents will be able to access their homes.

Where: Beecher Street between East Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive and East Pleasant Run Parkway South Drive; East Pleasant Run Parkway South Drive between Beecher and Raymond streets; and the Pleasant Run Trail access in these parts. 

When: Through the end of 2023.

Why: For the Pleasant Run Tunnel project, which is part of Citizen Energy Group's larger DigIndy tunnel project. 

Detour: Signs will detour motorists to Iowa Street, East Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive, Shelby and Raymond streets.

Citizens Energy Group is continuing its work on Indianapolis' wastewater systems through two projects impacting this road:

Between Keystone Avenue and Prospect Street.

Between South Meridian Street and Pagoda Drive.

Where: The bridge over I-465.

When: Through approximately the beginning of October.

Why: Bridge replacement as part of the I-69 Finish Line project.

Detour: Take Thompson Road, High School Road and Kentucky Avenue to cross I-465. The I-465 westbound exit ramp will remain open to northbound Mann Road, and the I-465 on ramp will remain open from Thompson Road and northbound Mann Road. 

Where: between Brookville Road and Washington Street.

When: July 5 through about July 9.

Why: Emergency railroad repairs at a crossing near 2155 South German Church Rd.

Contact IndyStar transportation reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @kayla_dwyer17.