Potholes disable 30+ vehicles on I-65 at north split for 2nd time in same day
For the second time Wednesday, potholes disabled vehicles on southbound Interstate 65 near the north split, Indiana State Police and emergency crews at the scene said Wednesday night.
Sgt. Jason Miller of Indiana State Police said a dozen or more calls came in beginning shortly before 9 p.m. Wednesday for disabled vehicles at the north split near the Meridian Street exit. Miller said he expected more motorists were involved but did not contact police.
The potholes are in the middle of the interstate, and Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews were working to fix them — again — about 9:30 p.m. Multiple state police troopers and wrecker services were at the scene along the shoulders, Miller said. One tow-truck driver said he saw more than 30 vehicles at the scene; he said drivers Wednesday night had no chance to see the potholes in advance and described the scene as “horrible.”
A similar scene played out around 1 p.m. Wednesday, Miller said, at the same location. After that incident, INDOT crews came out and fixed the potholes, but obviously the road workers had to return Wednesday night.
“They were out there earlier fixing that same one, and it happened to pop up again this evening,” said LaMar Holliday, public information officer for INDOT’s central district.
Holliday said pothole repairs crews were out Wednesday, and responded to the emergency on southbound I-65. They also planned to work overnight on potholes reported on I-70, I-465 and other portions of I-65.
“If they get emergency phone calls, they will be doing that as well.”
The location of Wednesday’s pothole repairs is also where a jackknifed semi caused traffic delays before 8 a.m. Wednesday. That accident caused the left two lanes of southbound I-65 to be closed. The jackknifed semi was left dangling over a guardrail. No injuries were reported in the incident, but an unknown amount of fuel spilled in the crash.
To report a pothole on a numbered state route, interstate or U.S. highway, contact your regional Indiana Department of Transportation district or follow the “Report a Concern” link at potholes.indot.in.gov or you can also report potholes on the INDOT mobile app.
On Indianapolis city streets, people can report potholes on the city’s Department of Public Works website. If a pothole on a city street damaged your car and you think the city should compensate you, you can call the city’s Office of Corporation Council to file a claim. The office does not accept every claim. The number is 317-327-4055.
