INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Department of Public Works closed Fort Wayne Avenue between Delaware and Alabama Streets to begin the conversion from one-way to two-way traffic. A newly converted Fort Wayne Avenue is expected to reopen in late August.
During the closure, traffic traveling southwest on Fort Wayne Avenue will be detoured south on Alabama Street, west on North Street and north on Delaware Street to reconnect with Fort Wayne Avenue. Residents of Fort Wayne Avenue will be able to access properties during construction while flaggers will assist with access to local businesses during daytime hours.
When complete, the newly resurfaced Fort Wayne Avenue will feature one traffic lane in each direction with corresponding striping and traffic signals, along with sidewalk and ADA ramp repairs.
In addition, on the southeast side, Shelby Street from Southeastern Avenue to Georgia Street will be closed for construction as the first phase of the Shelby Street Thoroughfare Structural Rehabilitation project.
The closure through the Irish Hills Neighborhood is expected to last approximately 20 days before crews move south for additional road rehabilitation. The entire project — extending from Southeastern to Woodlawn avenues — is expected to be completed by mid-November with construction crews closing only a few blocks at a time to through traffic. In total, the $2.1 million rehabilitation will reconstruct 2.8 lane miles of deteriorated asphalt pavement.
Southbound vehicular traffic will detour east via Southeastern Avenue, State Street, and English Avenue before reconnecting to Shelby Street. Northbound vehicular traffic will be directed west via English Avenue, Fletcher Avenue, College Avenue, and Washington Street before rejoining Shelby Street.
The upcoming work along Shelby Street is one project of the larger, $271 million construction program planned for Indianapolis infrastructure in 2022.