The I-65/70 North Split Reconstruction

[ysuindy]

WIBC traffic reporter saying the Pine Street on ramp opens October 31 and Ohio Street around same time

https://twitter.com/mattintraffic/status/1584854958670811136?s=46&t=3kaURrnI9sc9ymr_3mW7_g

[silverback1065]

  I see Pine opening, but Ohio? not so sure about that, the drone footage makes it look like it's not even close still.

[ysuindy]

I see Pine opening, but Ohio? not so sure about that, the drone footage makes it look like it's not even close still.

I listened to it again.  I wonder if he meant eastbound Ohio underneath 65/70 to get to Pine Street opening soon.   It looks like that might be close - but agree just don't see the exit ramp to Ohio looking close in that video.

[cjw2001]

More drone video just posted

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aH5jpZ2wok

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apdDvvc8oNg

[SSR_317]

I see Pine opening, but Ohio? not so sure about that, the drone footage makes it look like it's not even close still.

Exactly! And I am looking at the drone footage released yesterday, 10/29/2022.

[cjw2001]

Headline from the Indy Star "North Split running behind due to labor, supply shortages".   Unable to see the details due to paywall.  No big surprise given what we've been seeing progress wise.

and more drone video posted today...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=162Vo8sH1M0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81dTjiHTDTI

[silverback1065]

Headline from the Indy Star "North Split running behind due to labor, supply shortages".   Unable to see the details due to paywall.  No big surprise given what we've been seeing progress wise.

and more drone video posted today...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=162Vo8sH1M0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81dTjiHTDTI

Doesn't surprise me. seems like all manner of construction, whether it be building or road is suffering from this. they are so close with the 70 movements not close with the 65 ones. That's just my opinion looking at the footage.

[Great Lakes Roads]

Headline from the Indy Star "North Split running behind due to labor, supply shortages".   Unable to see the details due to paywall.  No big surprise given what we've been seeing progress wise.

and more drone video posted today...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=162Vo8sH1M0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81dTjiHTDTI

To be honest, I don't expect this project to be done and opened by the end of this year... my best guess on when this project opens to through traffic will be sometime in the Spring or Summer 2023.

[ITB]

Like many other projects around the country, the North Split is probably feeling the effects of the widespread cement shortage, which is hampering the concrete industry. It's been going on for a couple of years, and although it appears to have hit a peak this spring, nettlesome supply issues continue to persist. Read about it here and here.

From the recent videos, it appears most of the south leg will be paved by the end of November. Paving also is ready to commence on the westbound lanes of the east leg. Although I'm less confident than I was three months ago, I believe there's a chance all six major movements will be opened by the end of the year. To be sure, appearance wise, it seems a bit of a mess right now. But once they finish up with loose lift, the outline of the roadways in the split area should quickly take place. Moreover, those segments between the bridges in the split are relatively short, so they may be able to make quick progress there. Time, however, is beginning to run short, and a nasty streak of weather could really make things challenging.

[cjw2001]

Headline from the Indy Star "North Split running behind due to labor, supply shortages".   Unable to see the details due to paywall.  No big surprise given what we've been seeing progress wise.

and more drone video posted today...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=162Vo8sH1M0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81dTjiHTDTI

Update from WTHR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzYIN2TLxgE

Update from Fox 59
https://fox59.com/indiana-news/north-split-reopening-likely-delayed-until-early-2023/

[tdindy88]

I knew it. I'm happy they're having all hands on deck to finish this project but maybe they should have had that from the very beginning.

I get the supply stuff but I have to wonder, how is the I-69 Finish Line project moving so smoothly? There's been like very little problem in terms of labor or getting materials from what I've seen. Maybe the North Split project requires more of something. I'm just being a little bitter over all of this.

And now if the North Split is delayed does that push back the I-69 Finish Line work on I-465 until later as well since the southern part of the beltway is part of the detour. Does I-69 get pushed back to 2025 as a result?

[cjw2001]

INDOT just sent out an email that the Pine Street ramp to I 70 Eastbound will open by Saturday.

[silverback1065]

I knew it. I'm happy they're having all hands on deck to finish this project but maybe they should have had that from the very beginning.

I get the supply stuff but I have to wonder, how is the I-69 Finish Line project moving so smoothly? There's been like very little problem in terms of labor or getting materials from what I've seen. Maybe the North Split project requires more of something. I'm just being a little bitter over all of this.

And now if the North Split is delayed does that push back the I-69 Finish Line work on I-465 until later as well since the southern part of the beltway is part of the detour. Does I-69 get pushed back to 2025 as a result?

Well the 69 project is being done by a completely different contractor. maybe that has something to do with it. who knows. and by the way things appear, it looks like these other projects are waiting for north split to finish before they really heat up. hopefully this doesnt cause more delays. At least pine opens up again soon. having the penn ramp closed is causing issues for sb 65 approaching mlk, but that sadly may be permanent since 70 will no longer get access to penn in the final config.

I love these drone videos they do and so often too, they need to do this for all major INDOT jobs they're so cool!  I'm always amazed when I see them!

[ITB]

I knew it. I'm happy they're having all hands on deck to finish this project but maybe they should have had that from the very beginning.

To be fair, it's very possible the prime contractor tried and was unable to acquire additional personnel. The labor shortage in the construction industry is real. Moreover, there are only so many skilled bridge and MSE workers in Indiana and surrounding states. And, probably every last one of them has been busy at work from the spring onward.

What is happening now, according to the news reports, is they're striving to bring in additional workers as other projects wrap up elsewhere.

The cement shortage is a serious issue. Just Google. Projects have been delayed and some cancelled. Earlier this when I stopped by I-69/Southport Road work zone for some picture taking, the bridge deck finisher was already in place. Normally, that means the concrete deck pour is soon to occur. But at Southport it was like two months later when the pour was undertaken. To be sure, that was a massive pour that required in-depth planning and scheduling, but still.

At the North Split, the contractor is expending tremendous sums to get this project done. Large numbers of heavy duty truck mounted cranes have been brought in and utilized. Those puppies ain't exactly cheap to rent. Also, a lot of the concrete pours have had to be undertaken using both mixers and pumper trucks. And that, too, is really expensive.

The project appears to be approaching its climax, where things begin to fall into place and the end can be visualized. Whether they will get all six major movements open by the end of the year, I don't know. May depend on the weather. It's almost certain the I-65/I-70 movements to and from I-70 will be completed this year. The key to the I-65 movements will be the shifting of I-70 west to its new alignment, so watch that. Another area to watch is the work underway on the long MSE wall extending north from the straddle bent bridge on the south leg. That needs to complete, pavement and all, in order for the I-65/I-70 north to I-65 movement to open.

[tdindy88]

Fair enough. I just hope they can at least get some of it completed by year's end. I didn't even know that the Southport bridge had been impacted by concrete shortages.

[ITB]

Wisconsin contractor, and YouTuber, who is experiencing the cement shortage first hand:

[silverback1065]

Pine St. ramp to 70E will open Saturday morning. the Ohio St. part that swings into it will open too according to the local news.

[davewiecking]

Pine St. ramp to 70E will open Saturday morning. the Ohio St. part the swings into it will open too according to the local news.

Anxiously awaiting the next drone pix to see what's keeping all of I-70E from being opened. Based on the 11/1 version, looks like just a bit of asphalt.

[cjw2001]

Pine St. ramp to 70E will open Saturday morning. the Ohio St. part the swings into it will open too according to the local news.

Anxiously awaiting the next drone pix to see what's keeping all of I-70E from being opened. Based on the 11/1 version, looks like just a bit of asphalt.

Just posted
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00jhQ7cenq4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4aPx3gxgxo

[davewiecking]

Pine St. ramp to 70E will open Saturday morning. the Ohio St. part the swings into it will open too according to the local news.

Anxiously awaiting the next drone pix to see what's keeping all of I-70E from being opened. Based on the 11/1 version, looks like just a bit of asphalt.

Just posted
...

Thanks. Seems there's an MSE wall that will keep the interstates from falling onto Pine Rd to finish up also. The 2 traffic cams that might show it are offline.

[silverback1065]

Pine St. ramp to 70E will open Saturday morning. the Ohio St. part the swings into it will open too according to the local news.

Anxiously awaiting the next drone pix to see what's keeping all of I-70E from being opened. Based on the 11/1 version, looks like just a bit of asphalt.

Just posted
...

Thanks. Seems there's an MSE wall that will keep the interstates from falling onto Pine Rd to finish up also. The 2 traffic cams that might show it are offline.

those in that area are not MSE walls. they are concrete walls, i think the proper term is "gravity wall" i drove by weeks ago and saw them pouring concrete for them. they look to be almost done too.

[davewiecking]

Pine St. ramp to 70E will open Saturday morning. the Ohio St. part the swings into it will open too according to the local news.

Anxiously awaiting the next drone pix to see what's keeping all of I-70E from being opened. Based on the 11/1 version, looks like just a bit of asphalt.

Just posted
...

Thanks. Seems there's an MSE wall that will keep the interstates from falling onto Pine Rd to finish up also. The 2 traffic cams that might show it are offline.

those in that area are not MSE walls. they are concrete walls, i think the proper term is "gravity wall" i drove by weeks ago and saw them pouring concrete for them. they look to be almost done too.

Now that I look closer, I do see forms and a pump truck. In an earlier video it looked sort of like a crane putting wall sections in place.

[silverback1065]

New video just released. Man things are looking good. 65 movements are looking much much further along now. 70's movements are even closer. If I were to bet, I would say 70 will open 1st next month and 65 will lag into early next year. opening 70 alone would immediately make 465 on the south side better.

[cjw2001]

New video just released. Man things are looking good. 65 movements are looking much much further along now. 70's movements are even closer. If I were to bet, I would say 70 will open 1st next month and 65 will lag into early next year. opening 70 alone would immediately make 465 on the south side better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXIYhrvxqLE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zUvpqx0aHw

[davewiecking]

11/11/22 drone video. Backfilling of the retaining wall along Pine Rd underway.

https://youtu.be/nzikw7m1poo
https://youtu.be/6ik5wH8bkNU