The Indiana Department of Transportation will promote safe travels this holiday season by tracking the movements of Santa Claus through Indiana on social media. Saint Nick is predicted to enter the state near Santa Claus, Indiana, at 4 p.m. Eastern on December 24 and visit one of INDOT’s six regional districts per hour.
Kris Kringle will pass Indiana landmarks, visit with INDOT staff and share travel tips he picks up on his long trip around the state. Children who wish to participate should first ask their parents for permission or assistance, and look on the pages listed below for posts tagged #SantaStopsIN.
Northwest: www.facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest
www.twitter.com/INDOTNorthwest
Road work suspended
New highways will help make holiday travels safer and more efficient. Earlier this month, INDOT opened the new 27-mile I-69 section between NSA Crane and Bloomington, and replaced the final U.S. 31 stoplights through Carmel and Westfield with interstate-style exits.
Most highway maintenance and construction projects will halt work this holiday travel season to increase roadway mobility and safety. INDOT directs its contractors to pull back barriers and barricades to the safest extent possible. Some restrictions will remain in place for ongoing road construction, including:
- The left lane of I-94 eastbound is closed in Porter County between Mile 21 and State Road 49 (Exit 26), and
- I-65 traffic shifts or crosses the median for bridge construction at Main Street in Greenwood (Exit 99) and just south of the Henryville Rest Area (Mile 21.5).
Know before you go
Learn about traffic and road conditions, crashes and construction on state highways by visiting http://indot.carsprogram.org, calling 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or dialing 511 from a mobile phone.
Drive sober
Drivers attending holiday gathering should avoid substances that impair reaction times. When on the roads, drive defensively and be aware for other inattentive or impaired drivers.
If too impaired to drive, make plans to designate a sober driver, stay overnight or take a cab home. Remember that driving while drowsy or distracted is similar to “buzzed”
