Motorists will be able to use the reconfigured Interstate 65 interchange on State Road 11 just north of Seymour beginning today.
E and B Paving Inc. plans to open the $7.8 million interchange this afternoon, the Indiana Department of Transportation announced Friday.
It has been closed since Aug. 24 for a total of 96 days.
The construction was an additional safety enhancement to the state’s $143 million I-65 added travel lanes project between Seymour and Columbus, which was completed in September.
Two single-lane roundabouts are now located on either side of the State Road 11 overpass.
A video showing how to navigate the new interchange is available at youtu.be/uruVI1cxCOo.
Considered a “dog bone” or double roundabout, the configuration improves safety and traffic flow when getting on or exiting the interstate at State Road 11, according to a news release from INDOT.
“Roundabouts allow free-flow thru movement and also accommodate left- and right-hand turns,” INDOT states. “(Roundabouts) also improve safety as intersection conflict points are significantly reduced, vehicle speeds are slower, stop signs and signals are eliminated and traffic is able to move more efficiently through the area.”
INDOT advises motorists to slow down and use extra caution at the interchange as drivers get used to the new traffic pattern.
This marks the second and third roundabouts in Jackson County as the first one on South O’Brien Street in Seymour opened to thru traffic this week. Three more are planned, including a mini roundabout at Fourth and O’Brien streets and two more as part of the Burkart South Bypass on South Walnut Street and Airport Road.
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To watch a video showing how to navigate the new Interstate 65 interchange at State Road 11 north of Seymour, visit youtu.be/uruVI1cxCOo.
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