Anyone who has tried to get anywhere on the east side has been experiencing the unique frustration of trying to figure out how to get to your destination without running into a road block, or popping a tire. While the closure of East Washington and Ritter Ave. is just the first of many closures, it has hit residents and businesses of Irvington particularly hard. Many live on narrow one-way streets winding through heavily residential areas with street parking. However, once Washington was blocked, non-”native” Irvingtonians attempted to take shortcuts through side streets, not realizing that they were going the wrong way, trying to squeeze through alleys that look like the craters of the moon, cutting through parking lots, and generally causing mayhem. While the crazy has calmed down a little, the increased traffic on the side roads has also contributed to more potholes after a rough winter.
Potholes are a big issue in the Irvington neighborhood and throughout the east side of Indianapolis, with residents, particularly on streets like Rawles, experiencing persistent issues with road damage. The city has experienced a high volume of complaints in 2026, with crews working to address them as fast as they can when weather permits. However, through-roads and heavily trafficked main streets are a priority over smaller residential lanes. Residents can report potholes through RequestIndy online, or by calling the Mayor’s Action Center (MAC): Call 317-327-4622.
Citizens Energy Group today announced coming lane restrictions and closures of multiple portions of Washington Street in the Irvington neighborhood, located generally between Irvington and Arlington avenues. Utility relocation work here is required due to its location along IndyGo’s upcoming Blue Line route, a 24-mile bus transit corridor running east and west on Washington Street in Marion County. The Irvington neighborhood closures are expected to take more than three months in all. The first phase was the closure of Ritter and Washington, which will be followed by a two-week closure of westbound traffic along Washington, between Layman Avenue and Audubon Road.
Crews will continue work at various smaller locations, restricting lanes within the segment of Washington Street between Irvington Avenue and Arlington Avenue.
Travelers and through-traffic looking to avoid delays in this area can detour using 10th Street, by way of Emerson and Arlington avenues.
IndyGo has made resources available to local organizations and business owners near construction zones, including “We are Open” signage through a community tool kit. The small business owners in Irvington on East Washington and Audubon encourage everyone to come out and support them during this difficult time.
