Northbound traffic on I-65 is diverted to the southbound lanes after emergency structural problems with the bridge over Wildcat Creek forced the closure of the northbound lanes Tuesday between Indiana 25 and Indiana 26. Staff photo by John Terhune
Northbound traffic on I-65 is diverted to the southbound lanes after emergency structural problems with the bridge over Wildcat Creek forced the closure of the northbound lanes Tuesday between Indiana 25 and Indiana 26. Staff photo by John Terhune
Lafayette area motorists may get a little relief on Wednesday now that the state has mapped out a different route for the thousands of drivers on Interstate 65 who must detour around an unsafe bridge over the Wildcat Creek.

Traffic was brought to a crawl Tuesday afternoon after contractors discovered structural problems on the bridge and the Indiana Department of Transportation closed the northbound lanes of I-65 at the Indiana 26 interchange.

Vehicles were routed onto Sagamore Parkway which is restricted to two lanes because of the Restore Sagamore reconstruction project.

To funnel the interstate traffic away from local streets, INDOT has closed the northbound lanes at the Lebanon exit at mile marker 141. The official detour follows this route:

  • Exit at mile marker 141 onto U.S. 52 near Lebanon.
  • Travel north on U.S. 52 to Indiana 28.
  • Turn west on Indiana 28 to U.S. 231 in Romney
  • Turn north onto U.S. 231
  • Remain on U.S. 231 through West Lafayette
  • Turn left at the stop light at the intersection of U.S. 52 and U.S. 231.
  • Travel on U.S. 231/U.S. 52 to Montmorenci
  • Follow U.S. 231 north for about 15 miles to the I-65 northbound ramp

To receive text and email alerts about road closings and detours click on this link https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/INDOT/subscriber/new.

What's causing this mess?

Interstate 65 northbound closed about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday because crews noticed structural problems with the Wildcat Creek bridge, between Indiana 25 and Indiana 26.

Debbie Calder, a spokesperson for Indiana Department of Transportation, said the structure was found to be compromised during construction on the bridge related to the I-65 added travel lanes project. The project engineer working for INDOT reported the damage.

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