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39º | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 8:06 a.m. | Sunset 5:33 p.m.

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🚗 Heads up, Hoosier commuters

The North Split is officially open to traffic

An aerial view of Indianapolis' North Split construction project in progress

Demo is underway for the lanes that previously carried I-70 EB to I-65 NB. | Photo by INDOT

After nearly two years under construction, the North Split is finally fully open to traffic.

The northbound and southbound lanes of I-65 through the downtown interchange with I-70 reopened early Monday morning after a series of delays due to supply chain and labor shortages.

The North Split is one of the busiest interchanges in central Indiana with ~214,000 vehicles traveling through it every day. INDOT began the $350 million project on May 15, 2021 with the goal of improving safety and reducing congestion by eliminating bottlenecks.

What’s new?

I-65 and I-70 are open in both directions through the North Split. However, INDOT is reminding drivers that the Delaware/11th Street ramp to southbound I-65 is no longer available + access to the Meridian/Pennsylvania Street exit will only be available through northbound I-65.

INDY_Ohio Street North Split construction_JAN2023 — Crews prepare to open Ohio Street in January 2023.
|
Photo by INDOT

Here’s how drivers can get downtown via the interstate:

I-70 westbound collector/distributor (C/D) exit ramp to Michigan Street
I-65 northbound / I-70 eastbound exit ramp to Washington Street
I-70 westbound to Martin Luther King, Jr./West Street
I-65 southbound to Meridian Street
I-65 southbound to West Street
All existing ramps on I-70 west of the South Split

What’s left?

The I-65 southbound collector/distributor movement, the Ohio Street exit ramp, and the Meridian/Pennsylvania exit ramp are still under construction + are expected to reopen by the end of May.

Local street construction remains and the Monon Trail is expected to open this spring, followed by local street paving and aesthetic work through summer/fall of this year.

When all is said + done — this project will also add the following pedestrian-friendly elements by the end of 2023:

223 new lights
12,100 ft of sidewalk and trail
4,500 decorative + shade trees
5,000 big + small shrubs

Get even more information and keep up with the project.

Events

Tuesday, May 2

Classics at the Kan-Kan: Gladiator | Tuesday, May 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Kan-Kan Cinema and Brasserie, 1258 Windsor St., Indianapolis | $11 | See this classic movie, sponsored by the IUPUI World Languages and Cultures Department.

Wednesday, May 3

500 Festival Kickoff to May | Wednesday, May 3 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Monument Circle, Indianapolis | Free | Celebrate the start of Indiana’s greatest month with the 500 Festival Princesses, prizes, photo ops, and your fellow race fans.
Original Farmers Market | Wednesday, May 3-Wednesday, Oct. 4 | 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Indianapolis City Market, 222 E. Market St., Indianapolis | Cost of purchase | From fruits and vegetables and meats and cheeses, to baked goods and unique spices and herbs, you can find in-season, fresh foods brought to you at the Indianapolis City Market.

Thursday, May 4

Trivia Night in Top Out Cafe | Thursday, May 4 | 7:15-9 p.m. | North Mass Boulder, 1411 Roosevelt Ave., Indianapolis | Free | May the Fourth be with you — come play a round of Star Wars-themed trivia with a group of up to five friends.

Friday, May 5

First Friday Porch Party Kick-Off & Gallery Opening | Friday, May 5 | 6-9 p.m. | Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis | Free | Join the Harrison Center and Indianapolis Motor Speedway featuring NXG Youth Motorsports, an Indy 500 Fashion Show, Suspended Animation Aerials, and members of Coro Latinoamericano.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Today is

Primary Election Day. More than 9,000 people in Marion County voted early in this year’s municipal primary election. If you’re not one of them, the polls open today from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 186 sites across the county. Find a voting center near you. (WRTV)

Pets

Indy Humane is waiving all adoption fees from today, May 2 to Monday, May 15 as part of the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” event happening nationwide. Indy Humane’s current greatest need is help in finding homes for large breed dogs. See their adoptable pets. (WRTV)
Indianapolis Animal Care Services is also offering free pet adoptions to help clear the kennels. Over the weekend, the shelter entered emergency intake status due to a lack of space. The shelter has has ~150-200 dogs + offers a foster program if you’re unable to adopt. (WISH)

Concert

Aerosmith announced it will be visiting Indy for the last time to celebrate the rock band’s 50+ years together. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band will perform at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, Oct. 29 as part of its “Peace Out” tour. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 5 at 10 a.m. (WTHR)

Read

Registration is now open for the Indianapolis Public Library’s summer reading program. The program runs from Monday, June 5 to Saturday, July 29. The library’s goal is for the community to log 16 million minutes of reading as a whole this summer and will reward readers with prizes. Sign up. (WISH)

Hoosier

Yesterday, David Letterman returned to his alma mater, Ball State University, for the premiere of an original documentary created by students about the art of glass. The 25-minute production “Clear Reception with David Letterman” shares the story of David’s interest in the glass art program. (CBS4)

Correction

Well, this is awkward. Yesterday, we shared players who were selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Colts took 12 new players in the 2023 NFL Draft, including star Florida QB Anthony Richardson in the first round, followed by Kansas State CB Julius Brents and North Carolina WR Josh Downs. Meet all the new players.

Holiday

How to win Mother’s Day? Send the mother figure in your life iconic meals and desserts from across the country with Goldbelly. Think: Ina Garten’s coconut cake, a New York bagel brunch kit, and a chef’s steak dinner for four. Yup, it’s all on Goldbelly.

Shop

💸 National Small Business Week

National Small Business Week in Indianapolis, IN

INDYtoday: INDY_Naptown Thrift Store Shopping_OCT23

If you’re looking for a sweatshirt your cool uncle might have rocked at the local basketball court in the 90s, you’ll find it at Naptown Thrift. | Photo by @naptownthrift

Did you know National Small Business Week is the first week of May?

For more than 50 years, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has celebrated National Small Business Week to honor and recognize the critical contributions of the country’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.

We’ve already told you that Indiana is one of the best states to start a business, but to get a sense of just how big of an impact small businesses have on Indiana, get a load of these numbers. According to the state, “there are nearly 500,000 small businesses in Indiana that employ more than 1.2 million Hoosiers.”

So, how can we get involved in National Small Business Week?

Share your story if you’re a small business owner.
Say thank you to the people who keep your business going.
Partner with another small business.
Shop and support another small business.

Ahead of weekend shopping outings, we want to shout out your favorite small businesses to support in and around Indy. Drop their names here.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Nicole Hernandez

From the editor

I have so many favorite small businesses but to name a few — Wild Feathers is one of my favorites when I’m looking for a cute new outfit (check out their Indy 500-themed collection), I love Salt & Ash Soap Co.'s handmade and sustainable body and skincare products, Sauna Social is one of the coolest or hottest concepts in my opinion, and the owners of Mochi Joy Donuts are the sweetest.

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