Award of Merit - Transportation

Originally built in the 1970s to accommodate traffic around the former Market Square Arena, the old I-65/70 Interstate ramps served as a barrier between the Indianapolis near-eastside and central business district.

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The “ski jump”—as the cumbersome ramps were called by local residents—went up and over the railroad tracks, dividing the neighborhood and hindering the area’s growth.

MSA’s demolition in 2001 rendered the ramps unnecessary and provided the perfect opportunity to remedy the area’s flow and economic health.

Seizing that opportunity, Project Open Market was developed to spur economic growth along Market Street and improve pedestrian access between the near-eastside and downtown Indianapolis.

This federal project involved the reconstruction of Interchange 111 on I-65/I-70 at Washington Street in downtown Indianapolis. Additional work included the reconstruction of neighboring streets.

The new Interstate access point is a modified split diamond interchange.Three ramps were also removed during the project.

The scope of work includes utility coordination, subsurface utility engineering, geotechnical, land acquisition, context sensitive solutions, communications, interchange lighting and signing, railroad coordination, and existing building condition surveys.

Key Players

Developer/Owner: Department of Public Works, City of Indianapolis
GC: Walsh Construction, Chicago
Civil Engineer: American Structurepoint Inc., Indianapolis