Next week begins a dreaded yet necessary road construction project in Indianapolis. It involves repairing much of a six-mile stretch of I-70, which is one of the main highways running through town. Specifically it will close the east side, from downtown to the ring highway (I-465). This is half of my daily trip to work! Which means I’ll be looking for new ways to work for the next 8-9 months.

They’ve put together a really nice website, anyway, that lets you know exactly what’s getting closed when: super70.in.gov. They have a timeline, fact sheet, and maps of everything.

The highlights of the project include:

  • Replace 75 lane miles of pavement (inside and outside shoulders and travel lanes)
  • Replace 28 bridge decks
  • Widen inside shoulders
  • Reconstruct I-70 over Sherman Drive
  • Add new signs and lighting
  • Add new pavement markings

There’s also a cool video clip that shows how the movable road barrier system will work. It’s amazing how that work, although I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised. Technology should allow this kind of thing already. Glad to see them using it.

Since it’s been over 30 years since this highway was built and it hasn’t ever been rebuilt, it’s quite due. From the sounds of things, and the information they’re providing on the website and through local TV news, this promises to be as smooth a project as possible. At least they’ve planned well, provided alternate routes, and made sure that communication is prolific and widespread. That really helps.

[tags]construction, highway, Indianapolis, road construction[/tags]