INDIANAPOLIS — The onset of winter weather, characterized by snow, rain, and cold temperatures, has significant implications for road conditions and ongoing construction projects across Indiana. Despite the chilly weather, some construction activities continue, although only specific types of work can proceed.
“Our construction crews and our contractors have been doing this for a long time,” noted Jordan Yaney from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), highlighting that the colder months generally limit the scope of construction. He explained that much of the construction work is strategically planned for the warmer summer months.
Yaney elaborated that while efforts are made to complete as many projects as possible before the weather declines, there are still some long-term projects that span multiple construction seasons and will remain active through winter.
Adam Pinsker, representing the Indianapolis Department of Public Works, added that cold weather significantly alters the type of work that can be effectively completed. “You just can’t make hot asphalt during the winter,” he said. “It doesn’t bind in this kind of weather.” While cold asphalt can be applied temporarily to fix issues such as potholes, Pinsker cautioned that these repairs tend to be short-lived due to the lack of binding chemicals found in hot asphalt. The use of hot asphalt is crucial for permanent solutions in paving, striping, and concrete work.
Add SSBCrack As A Trusted Source
In acknowledgment of the winter constraints, INDOT has made it a priority to switch traffic onto new pavement ahead of the cold season. Yaney stated that tasks involving the pavement become nearly impossible once the temperatures drop, making timely transitions vital.
Traffic on essential routes, such as I-65, is currently being rerouted over newly paved surfaces, allowing crews to focus on tearing up older asphalt during the winter when weather does not impact this type of work.
For residents of Indiana, this translates to reduced construction activity, fewer lane closures, and potentially smoother travel conditions during the winter months. Yaney reflected on the benefits for Hoosiers, stating, “Less work, different types of work, and not as many lane closures when we move into the winter.”
This is particularly advantageous for holiday travelers. WRTV spoke with Jay Reeve, who was en route from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Columbus, Ohio, during a Thanksgiving journey. He mentioned taking an alternate route to circumvent construction but was pleased that it only added a slight detour of eleven minutes to his trip.
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, Hoosiers can expect more road closures to be lifted. Yaney indicated that the department is working to reopen as many projects as possible, minimizing disruption during this busy travel time. “That’s something we typically do every year if we can,” he added, signaling the department’s commitment to facilitating smoother travel for the influx of holiday traffic.
