INDOT to Close I-64 Eastbound Lanes Near Ferdinand Starting March 31

Every morning and evening commute on I-64 near Ferdinand will funnel through a narrowed corridor for up to seven weeks starting Tuesday, as INDOT closes the eastbound passing lane between mile markers 66 and 68 for three trenchless pipe installations beneath the interstate.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced restrictions covering that two-mile stretch east of Ferdinand, affecting travelers across Dubois, Spencer, and Perry counties. The westbound shoulder in the same area will also be closed for the duration of the project, meaning both directions of traffic face restricted conditions simultaneously.

The trenchless method places pipe beneath the roadway without cutting the pavement open, minimizing long-term surface disruption to the interstate. The trade-off: sustained lane and shoulder restrictions while heavy equipment and staging occupy the work zone, a situation INDOT expects to persist through mid-May, weather permitting.

For Dubois County commuters running I-64 daily between Jasper or Huntingburg and points east, the loss of the passing lane concentrates congestion risk during peak travel hours. The corridor handles a heavy mix of regional freight and daily commuter traffic, and the closure lands in spring when delivery volumes for Ferdinand, Jasper, and Huntingburg businesses are already elevated. Commercial haulers with tight delivery windows should plan for slowdowns and consider shifting runs to off-peak hours where possible.

Local emergency services across all three affected counties are also monitoring the closure, since restricted lanes on this stretch could affect response routing. Schools and employers that move students or staff along I-64 are advised to brief families and employees before Tuesday's start.

Travelers can get current delay and closure information through INDOT's 511 system or the Trafficwise app. INDOT reminds all drivers passing through or near the work zone to "slow down, use extra caution, and avoid distractions."

The agency did not release exact daily work hours in its announcement and noted the schedule could shift for weather or other operational reasons. Motorists should track official INDOT advisories as the project moves toward its expected mid-May completion.