The Indiana Department of Transportation plans to shift northbound Interstate 65 traffic to the right lane and reinforced right shoulder next week between mile makers 53.0 and 64.2 as part of INDOT’s three-year $143 million Next Level Roads project between Seymour and Columbus.

INDOT says that on Monday, May 7, contractors will begin up to five nights of milling and paving work along northbound I-65’s outside shoulder, adding 1.5 inches of asphalt surface to support traffic. Closures will begin at 9 p.m. and end by 6 a.m. This work is dependent on the weather.

Beginning Tuesday night, May 8, changes in the northbound I-65 traffic pattern will begin to take place. Cars and trucks will be shifted to the right lane. INDOT says that only cars will be permitted to use the 11-foot-wide right shoulder, starting at mile marker 53.

INDOT officials anticipate crews will start setting concrete barrier wall the evening of Thursday, May 10th. That will be done to separate traffic from construction activities that will take place within I-65’s west-side median area.

INDOT says that once the northbound shoulder has been milled and paved, nighttime milling/paving operations will focus on locations along southbound I-65’s right shoulder at future bridge construction sites. This work will require closing the southbound I-65 right lane at worksites. Officials note that shoulder work should be completed within three nights.

This work will see a reduction in the speed limit for northbound traffic. INDOT says it will be lowered to 60 mph between mile marker 49 and 68.5. While workers are present, it will be further reduced to 50 mph.

This Next Level “I-65 Southeast Indiana Best Value Project” is rebuilding I-65 as a six-lane roadway between U.S. Highway 50 and State Road 58. This includes repair and resurfacing work on I-65 from State Road 58 to the State Road 46 exit at Columbus.