Fast, reliable & cost effective Equipment Transport

Weekend work near downtown creates tight windows for heavy hauls moving through the corridor. Full closures alternating by direction shrink capacity and push loads onto I-465 and I-70. That can change timing, route choice, and permit needs fast.

Carriers should treat this project as a short, intense period of change. Plan escorts, verify clearances near the South Split, and confirm temporary lane widths before dispatch. Simple steps now reduce later traffic issues and costly re-routes across the state.

Stay aligned with officials and partners. Share revised pick-up and delivery windows, cushion travel time, and use route tools for mock runs. For route planning tips and clearance tools, see our guide on route planning at how we plan heavy haul routes in.

What’s changing on I-65 right now: weekend closures, lane shifts, and bridge work

Nighttime work is driving predictable weekend patterns. Full weekend closures alternate by direction downtown, concentrating activity at night to speed repairs and keep crews safe.

Key southbound stretches close 9 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday from the South Split to I-465. Ramps and exits at Madison Ave/I-70, Keystone Ave, Morris/Prospect, and Raymond Street will be unavailable during those windows.

• Detours: Traffic is routed via I-465 W to I-70 E for downtown access; last downtown exit is Illinois/Meridian (79B).
• Bridge work: Overnight demolition and rehab at Morris and Prospect run 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., with local street closures near St. Patrick St.
• Downtown pattern: One direction closes each weekend; expect constrained lanes and merge difficulty in some segments.

How I-65 Indiana construction delays affect oversized shipments

When one direction shuts for the weekend, permit slots and escort plans must move fast. Permit windows that end at a.m./p.m. curfews often collide with full weekend closures. Align escorts and patrols with the state’s published timing to avoid last‑minute resubmissions and extra fees.

Permit timing and escort coordination

Build contingency slots with escort vendors. A single late escort can force a 24–48 hour hold in some cases. Share exact pickup windows with state patrols and have alternates on call.

Bridge rehab and narrowed lanes

Overnight rehab at Morris and Prospect can squeeze shoulder space and reduce lane widths. This is a real problem for beam or modular carriers that need extra off‑tracking room.

For tall loads, verify vertical clearance under scaffolding and temporary shoring before dispatch.

Staging and South Split access

Local street closures may block staging near the South Split. Pre‑stage materials and tie‑down gear on the correct approach before the weekend cutoff.

• Plan longer headways: Live lanes carry heavier volumes when the other side is closed.
• Use dynamic nav: Pair official feeds with mapping tools and brief drivers on escape routes.

Route planning: northbound and southbound detours that work for OS/OW loads

Prioritize continuous interstate routing when downtown closures shrink options inside the core. Using the loop keeps heavy moves on predictable pavement and reduces tight turns near local streets.

Use I-465 W to I-70 E as the primary bypass to skirt the downtown closure and reconnect to the main line. Mark the last viable downtown exit at Illinois/Meridian (79B) so deliveries inside the core remain possible when the closure is active.

Timing and segment rules

Northbound weekend closures run 9 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday. Southbound windows run 7 p.m. Friday to 3 p.m. Monday. Segment 3 keeps at least one lane at the splits.

Time entries into the detour to clear the affected zone before the p.m. cutoff or hold at a planned staging point if needed.

Exit, side streets, and state road connections

Evaluate ramps case by case; some exits remain open but are too tight for long trailers. Confirm posted truck routes where a state road meets the loop and follow temporary signing for turn or lane changes.

• Default detour: I-465 W → I-70 E to bypass the core.
• Return to main line: Continue on I-465 W to rejoin northbound lanes.
• Night ops: Rehearse lane positioning in detour corridors to handle taper changes.

Statewide project context and where to get official updates

Rely on official channels to verify overnight shifts and weekend schedules before departure. INDOT posts changes that can arrive late at night, including a.m. updates when weather or crews alter plans. Subscribe to alerts to keep dispatch and drivers synced.

Key resources include social feeds, the CARS portal, and direct alerts. Use these tools to confirm work zones, lane shifts, and temporary signage at state road interfaces.

• Social: @INDOTNorthwest on Twitter and Facebook for region posts.
• Alerts: public.govdelivery.com/accounts/INDOT/subscriber/new for email/text notices.
• Live feeds: indot.carsprogram.org, dial 511, or call 1-800-261-ROAD (7623).

Officials publish segment maps for the North/South splits and historic project work across the state. Bookmark district pages and add alert feeds to your planning calendar so teams act on authoritative timing.

What carriers should do next to keep shipments on schedule

Set a default interstate detour plan and publish a short driver memo with the exact p.m. and a.m. cutoffs for northbound and southbound weekends. Mark the last downtown exit and treat the loop as the primary route this fall.

Pre-stage materials and confirm crane or offload crews before the weekend window. Work with escorts and the indiana department transportation feeds so pickup times avoid holds.

Build a segment playbook that lists allowable state road connectors, low clearances, and bridge work notes near Morris/Prospect. Stand up a weekend command rhythm to track department transportation alerts and handle issues in real time.

Run Monday after-actions, document problems, and update the project playbook so your state operations get steadily safer and more predictable.