Damaged bridge reopens to traffic - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

A major interstate near downtown Indianapolis that was closed all weekend from a Friday crash has reopened to traffic.

Northbound traffic on I-65 was allowed to pass under a repaired bridge at 10:30 p.m. Sunday.  INDOT crews were moving to re-open eastbound Interstate 70, as well.

The entrance to the south split of Interstate 70 and Interstate 65 closed down when an oversized load struck and damaged the Virginia Avenue overpass.

Designers working through the night confirmed a damaged Virginia Avenue bridge beam could be repaired using readily-available materials.  At that point, bridge repair crews anticipate reopening I-65 northbound and I-70 eastbound below the bridge downtown before the Monday morning rush.

Saturday, fabricators cut available steel plates according to design plans so they may be spliced onto damaged sections of the bridge beam.

All vehicles traveling state highways over 13 1/2 feet in height are required to obtain a permit through the Indiana Department of Revenue.

Map of affected area

Traffic on eastbound I-70 is being diverted onto I-65 southbound and northbound traffic on I-65 is being diverted to I-70 westbound. Signage on I-70 west of Indianapolis and I-65 south of the city is directing traffic around the I-465 loop as a detour.

Virginia Avenue remained open across the bridge. INDOT said the affected beam did not support vehicular traffic.

I-65 southbound and I-70 westbound remained open to traffic as repairs are completed.