465 eastbound and westbound above 69 will be closed for weeks (Indianapolis: 2009, buyer)

[BU191433]

Not sure this is the right forum for this, but thought maybe this might save someone some hassle. Avoid the area for a few weeks maybe

Crews fight Northeastside tanker fire | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star


Crews fight Northeastside tanker fire



By John Tuohy




A tanker truck exploded in a earth-shaking ball of fire on I-69 and I-465 this morning, forcing the closure of the latter, likely for weeks, authorities said.

The driver of a vehicle behind the truck was taken to Wishard Memorial Hospital's burn center with severe burns, while the driver of the truck was taken to Methodist Hospital with cuts to his face, according to the Lawrence Township Fire Department.








Three other people, including a passenger in the truck, were treated at the scene.


The explosion happened about 10:45 a.m. on the southbound I-69 entrance ramp to I-465, according to a state police dispatcher. The ramp carries about 150,000 vehicles daily.


About 12:45 p.m., I-69 reopened in both directions.


Firefighters continued to fight small fires at the scene at noon.
Overpass 'blown out,' steel girders damaged

State Police Sgt. Anthony Emery said a pillar holding up the east side of the overpass was "blown out" and knocked on its side. Also, two steel girders on the west side of that overpass also sustained damage.


"We're not talking hours, we're talking weeks" for repairs, Emery said.


That is dreaded news for any commuters with destinations on the Northeastside, Fishers, Noblesville and points north toward Anderson and Muncie.


Also, nearby train tracks were damaged. The tracks weave below the underpass and carry pleasure trains from Hamilton County to Indianapolis.

State police have stopped traffic on I-465 feeding into the blast site.



-- I-465 eastbound is closed at Meridian Street (U.S.31). All eastbound I-465 entrance ramps east of that location are closed. Traffic enroute to I-69 will be diverted north on U.S. 31 to Ind. 28, east to I-69.

-- I-465 northbound is closed at I-70. All northbound I-465 entrance ramps north of that location are closed.

-- I-69 southbound is closed at Ind. 67 in Madison County Traffic will be diverted south on Ind. 67 to Ind. 9 to I-70. All southbound I-69 entrance ramps south of that location are closed.

[grmasterb]

This will be a headache for me for awhile, no doubt.

[domergurl]

holy guacamole! I just drove through there yesterday!

[Toxic Toast]

This was right outside my office. Literally. We thought it was an earthquake; then people started running to the windows screaming. Productivity at our office stopped for a good hour after the explosion.

It was quite frightening.

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by Toxic Toast

This was right outside my office. Literally. We thought it was an earthquake; then people started running to the windows screaming. Productivity at our office stopped for a good hour after the explosion.

It was quite frightening.

Hopefully everyone is OK.

I'm eager to find out what caused this accident. Some reports of erratic driving, another indicating that the tanker may've hit the overpass because it was too high.

[domergurl]

it's a miracle nobody was killed!!!!

have fun commuters!!!!!

[Freebird135]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

Hopefully everyone is OK.

I'm eager to find out what caused this accident. Some reports of erratic driving, another indicating that the tanker may've hit the overpass because it was too high.

99% chance some idiot 4 wheeler cut the tanker off, happens to me 100,000,000,000,000,000 times a day

[MissingIndiana]

I saw this article earlier today and was wondering how this happened. I was also wondering why such a large stretch of the interstate is closed. The map on IndyStar.com looks like they are closing eastbound I-465 all the way from Meridian to 56th st. That's almost 10 miles/20% of the loop around the city. Was this really necessary. Seems like that's going to put a lot of extra strain on some very small streets in Indy and Carmel. Do they at least have detour signs up for out of towners trying to get around this mess?

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by MissingIndiana

I saw this article earlier today and was wondering how this happened. I was also wondering why such a large stretch of the interstate is closed. The map on IndyStar.com looks like they are closing eastbound I-465 all the way from Meridian to 56th st. That's almost 10 miles/20% of the loop around the city. Was this really necessary. Seems like that's going to put a lot of extra strain on some very small streets in Indy and Carmel. Do they at least have detour signs up for out of towners trying to get around this mess?

I'm sure they needed to check the structural integrity of all overpasses within a certain distance of the 465/69 interchange. It's being reported now that I-465 northbound is now open to I-69. Eastbound, I-465 is still reportedly being re-routed at Meridian Street, which I find perplexing. Seems like it should be open to Allisonville.

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

I'm sure they needed to check the structural integrity of all overpasses within a certain distance of the 465/69 interchange. It's being reported now that I-465 northbound is now open to I-69. Eastbound, I-465 is still reportedly being re-routed at Meridian Street, which I find perplexing. Seems like it should be open to Allisonville.

yea, I was surprised that they were re-routing at meridian too!

I bet someone cut someone off .. people drive like idiots in that area.

Guess I'll be doing my old 70 to Olio Road route to get to Fishers for the time being.