Plan Extra Travel Time, Stay Informed For Holiday Weekend Traffic

Last updated on Friday, May 27, 2016

(UNDATED) - With lower gas prices and hundreds of thousands attending a sold-out Indianapolis 500, the Indiana Department of Transportation is preparing for a busy holiday weekend on the state’s highways.

Memorial Day traditionally marks the start of the summer travel season in Indiana. And whether you're witnessing "the greatest spectacle in racing," vacationing, visiting family and friends, or just passing through, INDOT urges drivers to plan extra travel time, to stay informed on road conditions and to drive safely.

Road Work Suspended

Most highway maintenance activities and construction projects will halt work during the holiday weekend to increase mobility and safety. INDOT directs its contractors to pull back barriers and barricades to the safest extent possible to accommodate the anticipated increase in holiday travel. Some restrictions will remain in place due to ongoing road construction, including:

Northern Indiana

Sections of I-94 in LaPorte County are reduced to two lanes in each direction for rehabilitation from U.S. 421 (Exit 34) near Michigan City to the Michigan State line. Some U.S. 421 ramps are closed with posted detours.
U.S. 31 is reduced to one lane in each direction for road construction between U.S. 30 and 4A Road near Plymouth.
I-69 lanes are shifted between Union Chapel Road (Exit 317) near Fort Wayne and State Road 8 (Exit 329) near Auburn for two bridge replacement projects.
I-469 near Fort Wayne is reduced to one lane in each direction between State Road 1 (Exit 6) and U.S. 27/33 (Exit 11) for road construction.

Central Indiana

Sections of State Road 37 from Bloomington to just south of Martinsville are reduced to one lane in each direction for Interstate 69 construction.
U.S. 31/Meridian Street lanes are shifted for road construction at the I-465 interchange near the Carmel-Indianapolis city line.

Southern Indiana

I-65 is reduced to two lanes in each direction between Eastern Boulevard (Exit 1) and the Kentucky state line for Ohio River Bridge construction.
Sections of U.S. 41 near Vincennes are reduced to one lane in each direction for bridge construction, including at the U.S. 50 interchange.
Sections of I-64 in Perry and Spencer counties are reduced to one lane in each direction for bridge construction between State Road 161 (Exit 54) and State Road 37 (Exit 79).
State Road 237 has a temporary signal controlling two-way traffic at the Ohio River bridge in Cannelton during bridge rehabilitation.
State Road 154 has a temporary signal controlling two-way traffic at the Wabash River bridge in Hutsonville and is closed between State Road 63 and U.S. 41 for bridge construction.

Indy 500 Traffic

Race fans driving to Indianapolis 500 festivities this weekend should plan their routes to the track and designate a sober driver home. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway provides directions, transportation options and general race information at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/fan-info/directions-and-zones/

INDOT traffic management staff will be on duty during the race, monitoring traffic cameras and congestion, coordinating with law enforcement, and posting information to dynamic message signs. INDOT's Hoosier Helpers freeway service patrol sponsored by State Farm will assist all weekend in keeping traffic flowing.

On Sunday, May 29, INDOT encourages through travelers to avoid race traffic on I-465 and I-65 on the west side of Indianapolis.

Know Before You Go

Learn about traffic and road conditions, crashes and construction on state highways by visiting http://indot.carsprogram.org, calling 1-800-261-ROAD (7623), or dialing 511 from a mobile phone.

Subscribe to receive INDOT news and information by text message or email at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/INDOT/subscriber/new. Find links to INDOT's regional Facebook and Twitter pages at www.in.gov/indot/3074.htm.

Drive Safely

Law enforcement throughout the state, including the Indiana State Police, will be participating in the Click it or Ticket Campaign and Operation CARE, or Combined Accident Reduction Effort. Troopers will be looking for aggressive drivers, impaired drivers, and those that don't buckle up. According to NHTSA, (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) seatbelts reduce your risk of injury and death in a crash by 50 percent.

With the expected increase in traffic, Indiana State Police advise motorists to follow the safety tips below:

Obey all speed limits and always use your turn signals.
Never drink and drive. Always have a designated driver.
Make sure everyone is buckled up and children are properly restrained in child seats.
Watch for and expect slowed or stopped traffic when approaching construction zones.
Make sure you are well rested. A fatigued driver is as dangerous as an impaired driver.
Avoid following too close. Use the two-second rule. Maintain following distance in construction zones.
Don't text and drive.
SLOW DOWN AND MOVE OVER for emergency, utility and highway service vehicles.
Report suspected impaired drivers by calling 9-1-1. Give a vehicle description, location, and direction of travel. Never follow an impaired driver.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

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