The I-65/I-70 North Split in Indianapolis – originally built in the 1960s and 1970s – is central Indiana’s busiest interchange, serving 220,000 motorists daily. However, over that half century of use, the highway pavement and nearly 50 bridges along that corridor deteriorated – with crash rates exceeding statewide urban interstate averages. To address those issues, the Indiana Department of Transportation undertook a $350 million reconstruction project to improve roadway capacity, eliminate weaving, and reduce merging – thereby enhancing traffic flow, access, and safety. The project also boosted downtown walkability with upgraded sidewalks and lighting at all crossings. The redesigned North Split now offers better traffic flow and safety while improving quality of life in surrounding neighborhoods. The project reduced highway noise with sound-absorptive barriers and specialized pavement treatments. Residents benefit from wider sidewalks, enhanced lighting, and the new Monon Loop urban trail. The interchange’s smaller footprint also created new greenspace – featuring natural grasses as well as 100,000 new shrubs, trees, and other plants – as well as utility upgrades as well as sewage and storm water drainage improvements.
America's Transportation Awards 