INDOT moves up start of major I-65 SB closure to avoid Taylor Swift concerts

INDIANAPOLIS — Commuters and Swifties alike can breathe a sigh of relief as a major interstate shutdown near downtown Indianapolis is now scheduled to be wrapped up prior to Taylor Swift’s Lucas Oil Stadium concerts.

On Wednesday, the Indiana Department of Transported announced that a planned major closure of I-65 will now start three days earlier than originally planned .

Previously, INDOT revealed their plan to completely close I-65 southbound near downtown Indy from West Street to Alabama Street for 16 straight days beginning on Oct. 18. This would’ve meant the closure would still be in effect on Nov. 1, 2 and 3 — the same days 200,000 visitors are expected to flood downtown Indianapolis for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concerts at Lucas Oil Stadium.

With many expressing dismay over the poor timing, INDOT quickly responded by announcing the start day for the closure will now be Oct. 15. This means the interstate should reopen just before the start of November, if all goes as planned.

The closure will force all southbound traffic on I-65 to exit at West Street, funneling drivers into downtown city streets.

Numerous ramps and exit ramps will be closed as part of the closure, which is to allow for deck patching and joint repairs.

Entrance ramps set to be closed on Oct. 15 for 16 days include:

• 38th Street eastbound to I-65 southbound
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street southbound to I-65 southbound
• 29th Street eastbound and 30th Street westbound to I-65 southbound
• 21st Street eastbound and westbound to I-65 southbound
• West Street northbound to I-65 southbound

Exit ramps scheduled to be closed as part of the construction project include:

• I-65 southbound to Meridian Street
• I-65 southbound to Michigan Street, Ohio Street, and Fletcher Avenue
• I-65 southbound to I-70 eastbound and westbound

While the revamped schedule should hopefully help alleviate the strain on downtown traffic during the highly publicized Taylor Swift concerts, which is expected to bring in around 200,000 visitors with 87% being from outside central Indiana, several other events will still be going on in downtown Indianapolis during the closure.

These events include a Colts home game on Sunday, Oct. 20 and the National Future Farmers of America Conference set for Oct. 23 through Oct. 26, which is expected to bring 65,000 people to Indy.

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