INDOT marks official start of 2025 construction season, urges importance of traveling safely in work zones

The Indiana Department of Transportation officially marked the start of its 2025 construction season Wednesday afternoon and recognized National Work Zone Awareness Week as both maintenance and construction projects begin across the state.

INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist was joined by Secretary of Transportation and Infrastructure Matt Ubelhor, Indiana Constructors Inc., Indiana State Police, agency employees, and industry partners near the I-65 Safety and Efficiency project site on the south side of Indianapolis to announce $3.3 billion in transportation infrastructure projects set to take place this year.

"More than 1,200 projects are planned this construction season," said Commissioner Quist. "Nearly 200 of those aim to improve traffic flow and safety, and over 7,600 lane miles of pavement will be resurfaced or replaced. It’s vital for motorists to keep safety top of mind when traveling through work zones, for themselves, other drivers, and road workers.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the majority of injuries and fatalities in work zones are drivers or their passengers.

“Just last year, 30 people were killed and more than 1,500 were injured in Indiana work zones,” said Secretary of Transportation and Infrastructure Matt Ubelhor.“While we’ve seen slight improvement in these numbers, there is still work to be done. We need help from drivers to keep bringing these numbers down through speed limit compliance, putting the phone down behind the wheel, and driving unimpaired.”

I-65 Safety and Efficiency

The I-65 Safety and Efficiency project on the southeast side of Indianapolis was the host project for this year's event. The Safety and Efficiency corridor stretches from north of the I-465 interchange to just south of the I-65/I-70 overpass near Fletcher Avenue.           

The two-year project will extend the life of existing pavement while reducing congestion and improving safety on I-65. Improvements include an additional travel lane in each direction, pavement replacement, bridge widening and rehabilitation, sidewalk improvements, and drainage work.

Interstate 65 will remain open to two lanes in each direction for the majority of construction, with various ramp closures and six weekend closures of I-65 (three in each direction) over the course of the project. Bridge closures over I-65 are also planned at Hanna Avenue and Morris/Prospect Streets. Initial traffic restrictions are scheduled to begin later this week for pre-construction activities.

“We’ve had many close calls and even lost employees over the years,” said Chad Scott, General Superintendent at Milestone Contractors, the prime contractor on the Safety and Efficiency project. “As construction begins on I-65, I cannot stress enough the importance of slowing down and paying attention in work zones. Reaching your destination seconds sooner or reading a text message isn’t worth someone’s life–or yours.”

Indiana Safe Zones

On Monday, INDOT announced the start of enforcement for its worksite speed control pilot program, known as Safe Zones. Starting on or after Monday, May 5, drivers traveling 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit in the Clear Path I-465/I-69 construction zone on the northeast side of Indianapolis will receive a violation notice via mail with penalties. The program aims to protect the lives of motorists and road workers by slowing drivers down and reducing crashes in work zones. 

“Speed is a primary factor in the severity of crashes,” said President of Indiana Constructors, Inc., Richard Hedgecock. “The goal of Safe Zones is to slow people down, specifically in construction zones, where lanes may be tighter and orange barrels, or a concrete wall, are the only line of defense for crews on the road. This program will save lives.”

Safe Zones was authorized by the Indiana General Assembly during the 2023 legislative session through House Enrolled Act 1015. By statute, INDOT may deploy Safe Zones at up to four sites at any given time. Clear Path on the northeast side of Indianapolis is currently the only active site. Expansion to additional worksites will begin with immediate enforcement. Locations will be announced at a later date. To learn more about Safe Zones, visit SafeZonesIN.com.

Respect the Zone

The theme of this year’s National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 21-25) is “Respect the zone so we all get home”. Below are simple actions Hoosiers can take to “respect the zone” and keep themselves and others safe in work zones this maintenance and construction season.