Westbound traffic on I-70 to shift onto flyover bridge amid ongoing North Split project

INDIANAPOLIS — Starting in October, westbound traffic on Interstate 70 at the site of the North Split project will be shifted across the median to the new flyover bridge.

The shift will also switch sides for the exit moments approaching the North Splits and shiels will be placed on the pavement to help drivers navigate the changes, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.

The transition is expected to be complete by Monday.

Business owner Mohamed Hanif says this has already impacted his business. "Its already been a disaster for the people that are coming downtown from the east side," he said. "We have been down business wise and traffic wise. "

He said his business is already down 30%.

Here are some of the changes to expect, INDOT says:

• Drivers who need to exit at Michigan Street will need to use the right lane.
• Drivers who need to continue on I-70 westbound to I-60 northbound or exit at Meridian or Pennsylvania streets will need to use the left two lanes.
• Drivers won't have access to I-70 westbound from North Rural Street and North Keystone Avenue.

The traffic shift will stay in place until work on the project is complete.

In the meantime, access to Downtown Indianapolis can be achieved via the following routes, according to INDOT:

• I-70 westbound collector/distributor (C/D) ramp exit ramp to Michigan Street (13 ton declared vehicle weight restriction effect)   
• I-65 northbound/ I-70 eastbound exit ramp to Washington Street (13-ton declared vehicle weight restriction in effect)  
• I-65 northbound and southbound to Martin Luther King. Jr/West Street 
• I-65 southbound to Meridian Street  
• I-65 northbound to Meridian and Pennsylvania Streets  
• All existing ramps on I-70 west of the South split