INDIANAPOLIS — It’s official: the North Splitis completely closed as of early Sunday morning and will stay closed for the next 18 months.
“We’ve been planning for this for months and months and months and we hope that people have too and they’ve really taken time to look at a different route,” INDOT communications director Mallory Duncan said.
Sunday, at times, saw backups as drivers got used to new traffic patterns.
Franciscan Health cardiologist Dr. Atul Chugh said he is not looking forward to his every day commute from Carmel.
"Having a pretty long commute already means that this is going to make this longer for me and, again, takes away from family time," Chugh said.
Chugh has already planned his way to work ahead of Monday and the first commute day.
"I think there are going to be some days where going west will be better than going east and just having to track those routes on a daily basis," he said.
INDOT suggests motorist give themselves extra time, plan new routes ahead of time and have patience heading into the work week.
"Hopefully, the 18 months of pain will be worth the reward at the end of it," Duncan said.
Find out more about the North Split closure in the video player above.
NORTH SPLIT COVERAGE | What the 18-month North Split closure means for Indianapolis traffic | Why is the North Split reconstruction about to happen and what will change? | DETOURS: How to get around the 18-month North Split closure | Fact Check Friday: Why wasn't the North Split project moved up? | Homeowners near North Split fear damage as their houses shake during construction | Interstate 70 lanes east of North Split will shift Thursday for reconstruction project | The North Split will close in mid-May for 18 months. Here's what that means for your commute. | Michigan Street ramp will close Monday as part of North Split project | Almost time: North Split construction to begin in mid-December | 'Under the highway': How interstates divided Indianapolis neighborhoods and displaced 17,000 people
