Broad Ripple Avenue had some recent closure changes to, one assumes, allow for taxi and ride-sharing service during the late-night hours on the weekends.

The following announcement is from Indy DPW:

INDY DPW MAKES CHANGE TO BROAD RIPPLE AVENUE PEDESTRIAN CORRIDOR

The Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) today announced the Broad Ripple Avenue pedestrian corridor will be re-opened to one-way, eastbound vehicular traffic each night from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. at the discretion of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD). Pedestrians should expect to see motorized traffic on Broad Ripple Avenue during these hours at least on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

The closures of Broad Ripple Avenue and other street segments were implemented to benefit public safety amid the COVID-19 public health crisis by providing residents the ability to socially distance while enjoying dense, commercial areas across Indianapolis.

Public safety officials recommended this discretionary, one-way re-opening of Broad Ripple Avenue during these hours after IMPD leadership monitoring pedestrian volume reported a pattern of visitor activity which does not safely comply with social distancing guidelines.

Concrete barriers have been placed around existing seating areas permitted to restaurants operating in the public right-of-way along Broad Ripple Avenue as an additional safety measure. Motorists navigating Broad Ripple Avenue overnight are strongly encouraged to use caution and to watch for temporary barriers near the traffic lane.

An extension to the emergency executive order continuing the closure of all three segments through Labor Day Weekend was signed last week by Indy DPW Director Dan Parker. Indy DPW will continue to evaluate public health data and monitor traffic patterns and pedestrian counts over the next few weeks.

Information on recent street closures as well as measures allowing restaurants to re-open with outdoor seating can be found at indy.gov/DineOut.

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We reached out to DPW and IMPD for clarification of the intent of this traffic lane addition but did not hear back as of press time.