Carmel closes U.S. 31 between 96th and 106th

The Indiana Department of Transportation has closed southbound U.S. 31/Meridian Street between 106th Street and 96th Street in Carmel as Phase 3 of the Level Up 31 project moves into place. The agency said the closure began on or after Wednesday, May 13, with more ramp changes scheduled days later and the traffic pattern expected to remain through late fall 2026. The work is part of a four-phase interchange overhaul at I-465 and U.S. 31 that INDOT says is aimed at adding capacity and reducing congestion. Northbound U.S. 31 remains accessible during the phase through a temporary traffic shift that uses the existing southbound lanes before switching traffic back just south of 106th Street. ### Which stretch is closed right now? Southbound U.S. 31/Meridian Street is closed between 106th Street and 96th Street through late fall 2026, according to INDOT’s project update. The 106th Street exit ramp to southbound Meridian Street is also closed, though the 106th Street exit ramp to I-465 remains open. (levelup31.com) May 13 was the posted start date for those extended closures, though INDOT said start times were weather dependent and subject to change. WISH-TV reported the southbound closure was in effect by Thursday, May 14. ### How are drivers supposed to get south if that section of Meridian is shut? INDOT said southbound drivers on U.S. 31 should exit at 106th Street, travel west to Illinois Street, continue south to Spring Mill Road, then continue to 86th Street, head east to Meridian Street and resume southbound travel. (levelup31.com) That detour is the agency’s posted route for traffic moving through the closed segment. Access to I-465 from both northbound and southbound Meridian Street remains open during the phase, according to the project website. INDOT said signs would be posted to guide drivers through the new configuration. ### What changes are coming on the I-465 ramps? Saturday, May 16 was the scheduled start for a temporary traffic shift on the eastbound and westbound I-465 ramps to northbound U.S. 31, according to INDOT’s May 8 update. (levelup31.com) The same phase includes closure of the northbound U.S. 31/Meridian Street ramp to 106th Street and closure of the 106th Street ramp to northbound U.S. 31 through late fall 2026. (levelup31.com) Phase 3 centers on widening the eastbound and westbound I-465 ramps to northbound U.S. 31 and making related changes at the interchange, INDOT said. Jordan Yaney of INDOT told FOX59 the goal is to reopen those ramps later this fall with two lanes each. ### Why is INDOT making this switch in traffic patterns? (levelup31.com) The Level Up 31 project covers the I-465/U.S. 31 north interchange, seven bridge deck overlays and related work on U.S. 31 from I-465 to 116th Street in Carmel, according to the project FAQ. INDOT said the project is intended to add capacity for west-to-north and east-to-north movements, improve traffic flow and enhance safety. (fox59.com) Project materials published by the team say the purpose is to provide additional capacity on the I-465-to-U.S. 31 northbound ramps and reduce the frequency of injury crashes, particularly rear-end crashes. INDOT has said rapid regional growth and heavier traffic volumes since earlier U.S. 31 corridor work helped drive the need for the interchange changes. (levelup31.com) ### How long will the broader project last? Construction began on or after October 6, 2025, according to INDOT’s earlier project notice. The agency has said the work is being staged in four phases to limit disruption and is scheduled to conclude in late 2027. LevelUp31.com says Phase 3 runs from spring to late fall 2026, and the site carries the current closures, detour maps and project documents. (levelup31.com) INDOT said motorists should expect delays during peak travel times in Indianapolis and Carmel while the work remains active. (levelup31.com 1) (levelup31.com 2)