The Deaver Road overpass over Interstate 65 south of Columbus is expected to close on or after Feb. 18 as crews begin demolition work.

The bridge will remain closed through mid-June (120 days) for superstructure replacement as part of the latest added travel lanes project on I-65. The official detour for the closure will follow County Road 175W to County Road 450S/State Road 58 to County Road 300W. In addition, overnight lane closures are scheduled on I-65 at the overpass from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Feb. 16 for placement of concrete barrier wall.

Starting the following week, intermittent closures will take place during demolition operations. These also will take place overnight between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., weather permitting. During this period, one direction of I-65 will close for up to 20 minutes at a time while overhead work is in progress (up to seven days).

Motorists are encouraged to utilize alternate routes or allow extra time to reach their destinations. A 55 mph speed limit will be in place throughout the entire work zone for the duration of the project.

Previously scheduled shoulder restrictions at Denois Creek and Opossum Creek have been moved to later in the project.

The superstructure replacement on Deaver Road marks the start of work on a $65 million contract that includes the addition of a third travel lane on I-65 between State Road 58 and State Road 46, bridge widening and rehabilitation, structure replacement and asphalt resurfacing from the Driftwood River Bridge to U.S. 31 at Taylorsville.

Additional lane closures and restrictions are possible starting as early as mid-March. The contract was awarded to Force Construction in October and is expected to be completed in summer 2023.