Online shopping causes traffic issues

ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (WISH) - Online shopping is creating traffic nightmares in Boone County.

This time of year the traffic along Interstate 65 at exits 130 and 133 is congested during the morning and evening rush hours.

Traffic is because of the Amazon.com Fulfillment Center located in the area.

The company will hit a peak of 7,000 workers at the center. With two daily shift changes, eight Whitestown Police officers oversee the more than 3,000 cars leaving and more than 3,000 cars arriving at the company.

The current infrastructure, roads, and interstate ramps, were not designed for the high volume of vehicles – that means traffic backups.

Whitestown Police have two traffic routes in place to get workers in and out of the area. Because of bottlenecks at exits 130 and 133 and the amount of traffic already on I-65, anyone driving through the area in the morning or evening will likely find themselves sitting in traffic.

“It's a design problem the INDOT engineers are working on. The county is also working on an idea for 400 E and 400 S but those two projects have to get together before that will happen,” said police Chief Dennis Anderson.

Peak traffic hours at night are from 5:45 p.m. – 7:10 p.m.

The holiday shopping congestion lasts for about five weeks and ends prior to Christmas Day.

“It's temporary. I tell everyone be patient, be diligent, be cautious especially if you are caught in the interstate traffic. If you are on 334 or 267 sitting in traffic, be advised, I-65 traffic gets priority so you are probably going to be sitting in traffic longer,” said Anderson.