Interstate 465 westbound is again open and work is continuing in Johnson and Marion counties on Interstate 69.
The lanes reopened Thursday after a three-week-long closure between Interstate 65 and Interstate 70, following a June closure on eastbound lanes. To add capacity to the road in preparation for the completion of I-69 next year, construction crews worked on bridge deck overlays, road surface upgrades and placement of drainage structures, according to a weekly update from the Indiana Department of Transportation.
Over the weekend, workers opened an extra lane on northbound Harding Street, which will remain until crews begin working on the remaining Harding Street pier later this summer. Drivers on I-465 eastbound lanes should watch for trucks entering and exiting the interstate as work on the future I-465/I-69 interchange continues, INDOT officials say.
In Johnson County, construction crews are ramping up work in preparation for the partial opening of the I-69 Smith Valley Road interchange later this month. The partial opening will include the overpass bridge and the southbound on and off ramps. The Mullinix Road roundabout will open at the same time as the overpass. Northbound on and off ramps will open later this year when the mainline roadway is put into its final configuration, INDOT officials say.
Northbound I-69 traffic continues to be limited to one lane under County Road 144 for the reconstruction of the State Road 37 bridge over Bluff Creek, which will cause delays during the morning and evening rush hours. Drivers should continue to watch for construction workers in the median and shoulder as they install highway fencing and cable rails, along with other finishing touches. The speed limit in work zones remains 45 miles per hour, INDOT officials say.
