INDIANAPOLIS - Commuters should plan for I-465 eastbound and southbound closures on the city's northeast side to remain in place at the start of the work week, unless notified otherwise. Thursday's propane tanker crash and explosion knocked out one of the vertical columns supporting the I-465 eastbound bridge over an I-69 southbound exit ramp and an adjacent rail line.
"The Indiana Department of Transportation appreciates the continued patience and understanding of motorists who are certainly inconvenienced by the interstate and ramp closures," said INDOT Commissioner Michael W. Reed. "We want to make certain the I-465 eastbound bridge is unquestionably safe for traffic to cross above or below."
Bridge repair crews will be working both day and night shifts to replace the missing column and perform other critical repairs to ensure motorist safety, but an anticipated date to reopen the bridge is not yet known. While repairs are being made, INDOT will conduct additional testing to further ensure the I-465 eastbound structure is safe prior to reopening.
I-465 eastbound remains closed to all traffic between U.S. 31/Meridian Street and the 56th Street/Shadeland Avenue interchanges. Allisonville Road and Keystone Avenue are city streets not equipped to handle a high volume of unfamiliar motorists and commercial truck traffic, so all eastbound I-465 traffic is being rerouted at U.S. 31. Dynamic message boards posted along interstates approaching Indianapolis encourage through traffic to follow I-65 and I-70, with I-865 eastbound closed at I-65 on the northwest side of Indianapolis. Vehicles over 13 feet 6 inches in height must contact Department of Revenue Motor Carrier Services for a permitted route.
Below is a listing of ramps that are open and closed at the busy I-465 and I-69 interchange. I-69 northbound and southbound remains open for through traffic connecting with Binford Boulevard.
· I-465 northbound ramp to I-69 northbound: OPEN
· I-69 southbound ramp to I-465 westbound: OPEN
· Binford Boulevard northbound ramp that loops up to enter I-465 westbound: OPEN
· I-69 southbound ramp to I-465 southbound: CLOSED
· I-465 eastbound ramp that loops down to enter I-69 northbound: CLOSED
· I-465 eastbound ramp to Binford Boulevard southbound: CLOSED
Local traffic should plan extra time and stagger their commutes in anticipation of alternate routes being congested. INDOT signal technicians will continue to monitor traffic flow on nearby interchanges and state highways and make temporary adjustments to signal timing. All motorists are encouraged to "know before you go" by checking local traffic reports and INDOT's traveler information Web site, http://trafficwise.in.gov/.
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