Bartholomew County’s Deaver Road Overpass to Close Feb. 18 for Demolition

(BARTHOLOMEW CO.) – The Deaver Road overpass is expected to close on or after Thursday, Feb. 18, as crews begin demolition work over I-65 south of Columbus.

The bridge will remain closed through mid-June (120 days) for superstructure replacement as part of the latest added travel lanes project on I-65. 

The official detour for the closure will follow C.R. 175 W. to C.R. 450 S./S.R. 58 to C.R. 300 W.

In addition, overnight lane closures are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 16, on I-65 at the overpass from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for placement of concrete barrier wall.

Starting the following week, intermittent closures will take place on I-65 during demolition operations. These will also take place overnight between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., weather permitting.

During this period one direction of I-65 will close for up to 20 minutes at a time while overhead work is in progress (up to seven days).

Motorists are encouraged to utilize alternate routes or allow extra time to reach their destinations. A 55 mph speed limit will be in place throughout the entire work zone for the duration of the project.

Previously scheduled shoulder restrictions at Denois Creek and Opossum Creek have been moved to later in the project.

The superstructure replacement on Deaver Road marks the start of work on a $65 million contract that includes the addition of a third travel lane on I-65 between S.R. 58 and S.R. 46, bridge widening and rehabilitation, structure replacement, and asphalt resurfacing from the Driftwood River Bridge to U.S. 31 at Taylorsville.

Additional lane closures and restrictions are possible starting as early as mid-March. The contract was awarded to Force Construction in October and is expected to be complete in summer 2023.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution, and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.