Contractors are painting lane markings and anticipate opening two new freeway ramps from I-465 to northbound U.S. 31 in Hamilton County this afternoon.
After opening the new free-flowing ramps from I-465 to northbound U.S. 31, all lanes and interchanges on the new U.S. 31 Hamilton County freeway will be open to traffic.
The new eastbound I-465 ramp to northbound U.S. 31 exits to the right and carries traffic on a flyover bridge over Meridian Street and I-465 before merging with northbound U.S. 31.
The new westbound I-465 ramp to northbound U.S. 31 bypasses the traffic signal and is located to the right of the current ramp.
Traffic exiting I-465 to southbound Meridian Street will use the left sides of the exit ramps, which will be modified for additional capacity.
Traffic on northbound Meridian Street exiting to 106th Street now follows a new ramp that passes underneath the two new ramps opening today, eliminating weaving and merging in the heavily traveled area.
The New U.S. 31 Hamilton County freeway is open for business
Last week, Governor Mike Pence joined Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard, Westfield Mayor Andy Cook, Congresswoman Susan Brooks, INDOT Commissioner Brandye Hendrickson, project personnel, designers and contractors to celebrate the opening of the new U.S. 31 in Hamilton County and commend five years of ambitious construction resulting in free-flowing traffic.
Northbound and southbound U.S. 31 traffic is now shifted onto new bridges over 106th and 116th streets, opening the freeway to three lanes in each direction and effectively removing the final two traffic signals from U.S. 31 through Carmel.
About the new U.S. 31
INDOT broke ground on the new U.S. 31 Hamilton County freeway in 2011 near the north end of the project at State Road 38. Approximately $350 million has been invested to upgrade 13 miles of highway, build 49 new bridges and 12 new interchanges through Carmel and Westfield.
Combined with the previously completed U.S. 31 Major Moves projects near Kokomo and South Bend, more than 32 traffic signals have been removed from U.S. 31 north of Indianapolis – saving drivers 30 minutes of travel time. This eases congestion, increases safety, and provides continuity of commerce and regional travel for a U.S. highway that stretches from Michigan to Alabama.
Final work continues in 2016
Construction along the corridor is expected to continue in 2016 as crews complete the U.S. 31/Meridian Street transition underneath I-465 and the roundabouts on 106th and 116th streets under U.S. 31. The speed limit between I-465 and Old Meridian Street will remain 45 mph through the work zone. The speed limit north of Old Meridian Street is 55 mph.
Submitted release courtesy of INDOT.
