MARION COUNTY – The Indiana Department of Transportation plans to reopen I-70 westbound through the North Split interchange this weekend.
Weather permitting, the westbound lanes of I-70 are expected to be open by Sunday morning.
To prepare to open the lanes, crews will be shutting down the I-70 westbound ramp to Michigan Street Friday night at 9 p.m. to place pavement markings and move barrier wall. The ramp will reopen Sunday morning with the reopening of I-70 westbound. During the closure of the ramp motorists can access downtown via the MLK/West Street exit.
There will also be intermittent lane restrictions on I-70 westbound from Emerson Avenue to the North Split Friday and Saturday nights. Drivers are asked to slow down in this area and watch for new traffic patterns as the lanes are opening.
With these new movements, motorists will be able to travel along I-70 WB from the east and continue through the North Split onto I-70 WB south of downtown.
Last week, I-70 EB was opened through the North Split interchange.
I-65 NB will detour along I-70 WB and I-65 SB traffic traveling through Indianapolis will continue using the detour along I-465 until the I-65 movements are completely open in late spring of 2023.
The Meridian/Pennsylvania ramp will remain closed until I-65 is open. In the new North Split interchange configuration, motorists will no longer have access to the ramp from I-70 WB. This will eliminate the weaving pattern across multiple lanes, making the exit safer for motorists.
The North Split reconstruction project will provide safer, more free-flowing travel for the thousands of motorists who use the interchange each day. Once complete, the new system will take up a smaller footprint and increase the walkability of surrounding downtown Indianapolis neighborhoods. The redesigned interchange will improve safety by eliminating weaving and merging, leading to better traffic flow.
Access to downtown Indianapolis will be maintained via:
- I-70 WB collector/distributor (C/D) exit ramp to Michigan Street (13 ton declared vehicle weight restriction effect)
- I-65 NB/ I-70 EB exit ramp to Washington Street (13-ton declared vehicle weight restriction in effect)
- I-70 WB to Martin Luther King. Jr/West Street
- I-65 SB to Meridian Street
- All existing ramps on I-70 west of the South Split
INDOT encourages drivers to slow down, exercise caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.
For up-to-date project information, visit northsplit.com or text “NORTHSPLIT” to 468311. Follow the North Split project’s progress on social media at:
- Facebook: Facebook.com/NorthSplit
- Twitter: @NorthSplit
- Instagram: @IndyNorthSplit
Stay informed
Indiana motorists can monitor road closures, road conditions, and traffic alerts any time throughout the state, here.
For details on the lane restrictions and closures associated with the current work, please visit 511 Cars for more information.
