Maryland And Illinois Intersection To Partially Reopen Monday

Another busy downtown Indianapolis intersection is closed due to failing infrastructure.

Citizens Energy Group spokesperson Dan Considine says the intersection of Maryland and Illinois streets is set to partially reopen Monday with lane restrictions, but Citizens won’t have a timeline on a full reopen until after the weekend.

“This is a very complicated excavation," Considine says. "Not only do we have to make these repairs that are very deep, but we also have multiple utility lines that are under this intersection.”

During a routine inspection Thursday at the intersection, Citizens Energy found a collapsed manhole structure. The company says it could have caused a sinkhole like the one that opened earlier this month.

In light of these incidents Considine says the company is conducting a downtown-wide inspection of the sewer system.

Republican Sen. Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis) called for a public audit Thursday, asking for a thorough analysis of the 100-year old infrastructure.

“I think these two incidents raise questions on what happens next," Merritt says. "I think it’s important for the public to feel good that they’re driving over streets that aren’t gonna cave in.”

Considine says with 100-year-old sewer infrastructure the company cannot predict whether more failings will occur. He says more information will be available Monday.