Indy Traffic Congestion Since 08.20.12 (Indianapolis, Noblesville: new construction, school, live)

[indysleepy]

I live on the north east side of Indianapolis (not really Indy but Noblesville address right at the Hamilton Town Center) and my previous drive of 35-40 minute commute downtown has been taking me between an hour and fifteen to an hour and a half to get downtown since last Monday. Has there been a major shift in construction routes that is clogging 69 and 465 on the east side? Or can all this traffic only be attributed to "back to school" traffic with young students and IUPUI students heading downtown. Thoughts?

[wh15395]

I'm honestly going with IUPUI. I had to drive downtown three times last week from Zionsville. The drive used to be a breeze, but last week it was congested on 465 on the NW side and on 65 heading into the city. I'm guessing this is what happens when a 30,000 person school is made up mostly of commuters.

[BU191433]

back to school makes a huge difference to traffic overall.

[indy_317]

Originally Posted by indysleepy

I live on the north east side of Indianapolis (not really Indy but Noblesville address right at the Hamilton Town Center) and my previous drive of 35-40 minute commute downtown has been taking me between an hour and fifteen to an hour and a half to get downtown since last Monday. Has there been a major shift in construction routes that is clogging 69 and 465 on the east side? Or can all this traffic only be attributed to "back to school" traffic with young students and IUPUI students heading downtown. Thoughts?

IUPUI will play a big part. Back when I went there, we had under 30K students. Of the 30K, only somewhere around 60% I think were full-time (if even that). Plus, there were more of your non-traditional 25-55 year old students, who even if they were full-time, were more likely to take night and weekend classes. There has been a shift with more than 30K students, and at least 75% are full-time, and even more are the traditional 18-22 year olds going to school M-Thursday during work hours. In addition, more seasonal jobs open up on campus as well.

However, my wife goes from east to north, and also recently said her traffic has gotten much worse. So much so, she has now had to start leaving earlier. So it might just be some sort of new construction more so than students heading to IUPUI/Marian/U of I.