Bitter Cold and West Side Closures Impact Friday Morning Commute

Morning Traffic Overview

Commuters across Indianapolis are facing a frigid start this Friday, January 23, 2026. With temperatures hovering around 10 degrees and a significant winter storm projected for the weekend, road conditions are currently clear but hazardous due to extreme cold and ongoing infrastructure projects. The most significant disruptions this morning are centered on the west side and the downtown corridor.

Major West Side Construction

Drivers navigating the west side should expect continued delays along the West Washington Street corridor. As part of the ongoing Blue Line bus rapid transit development, westbound travel on West Washington Street remains closed between Harding Street and Belmont Avenue. Construction crews are currently installing storm sewer trunk lines, and barriers now line the street from Rockville Road to the Indianapolis Zoo. Motorists heading west are advised to use West Michigan Street as the primary detour route.

Downtown and North Side Alerts

• Capitol Avenue: A long-term closure remains in effect on Capitol Avenue between Louisiana and South Streets. This section is closed to all vehicular traffic until mid-March. Sidewalks and the Cultural Trail on the west side of the street remain open for pedestrians.
• 18th Street Closure: Near the IU Health district, 18th Street is closed for a two-week infrastructure project that began earlier this week. This is causing minor bottlenecks for those accessing the medical center.
• Clear Path 465: At the I-465 and I-69 interchange, construction is roughly 80% complete. While most new bridges are open, this remains the second busiest interchange in the state with over 120,000 daily vehicles. Drivers should stay alert for shifting lane configurations as the project moves toward its final phases this summer.

IndyGo Transit Updates

Public transit riders should be aware of several active detours this morning. Routes 90 and 92 are currently detouring away from 18th Street due to the road closure, and the IU Health Station is temporarily inactive. Additionally, Route 10 is on detour on 10th Street between Tibbs and Sharon Avenue, and Route 15 is seeing impacts near 30th and Georgetown.

Riders are also reminded that the new fare structure, which went into effect on January 1, 2026, is now standard. Two-hour unlimited passes are priced at $2.75. Due to the bitter cold, IndyGo recommends using the real-time tracking app to minimize wait times at outdoor stops.

Weather Warning for Commuters

While roads are dry this morning, the 13Weather forecast indicates a major winter storm will bring accumulating snow late Saturday into Sunday. Maintenance crews are monitoring bridge decks for frost this morning, and commuters are encouraged to keep emergency kits in their vehicles as wind chills remain in the single digits throughout the day.