IU Health announces lane closures on Capitol Avenue for construction of skybridge for new downtown hospital

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana University Health announced new lane closures as part of its construction of a pedestrian skybridge for its new 44-acre health campus in downtown Indianapolis.

According to a news release, Capitol Avenue will be shut down between 14th and 16th Streets as construction crews begin building a pedestrian skybridge intended to connect IU Health’s new downtown hospital to a medical office building.

Construction is slated to begin on Monday, Oct. 20, and will last until Jan. 7, 2026. IU Health said the purpose of the skybridge is to “provide a safe, convenient and weather-protected connection between the two facilities, providing access for patients, visitors, and staff.”

The project will be organized into three phases for the next three months. The first phase, which is projected to last from Oct. 20 to Nov. 17, will feature detours down Meridian Street. The IndyGo Red Line and Purple Line bus stop at 14th Street and Capitol Avenue will be closed. A temporary bus stop will be available at Meridian and 14th Streets.

By the time the second phase commences on Nov. 18, IndyGo’s Red and Purple line buses will continue their normal routes through Capitol Avenue. On Jan. 8, a single southbound lane will be open alongside all entrances to IU Health Methodist Hospital.

According to previous reports, the $4.29 billion campus will feature three 16-story hospital towers with 864 beds and additional buildings housing the IU Medical School, research laboratories, labs and clinics, and retail space

As of this article’s publication, the new downtown hospital is scheduled to open sometime in the fourth quarter of 2027.