A sudden sinkhole in downtown Westfield briefly shut down the eastbound lanes of State Road 32 at Union Street on last evening, sending drivers scrambling for alternate routes. While eastbound traffic was detoured, westbound SR 32 and north-south travel along Union Street stayed open as crews moved in to secure the area. Officials say a temporary repair is now in place and eastbound traffic has been restored, with a more permanent fix expected in the near future.
What INDOT posted
The Indiana Department of Transportation's East Central district shared photos and an alert saying crews discovered the sinkhole in the eastbound lanes at Union Street and shut down eastbound SR 32 while they worked on repairs. According to INDOT East Central on Facebook, westbound SR 32 and north-south Union Street traffic stayed open, and drivers heading east were urged to take alternate routes. The agency said a temporary fix was put in place so the roadway could reopen, with a long-term repair to be scheduled soon.
Where this fits in the SR 32 project
The sinkhole appeared in the middle of the multi-phase "Improve to Move SR 32" overhaul, which is redesigning about five miles of the corridor between Westfield and Noblesville. The effort has already brought rolling lane shifts and detours through downtown as work progresses. The project website outlines a long-term plan that includes new roundabouts, additional turn lanes and pedestrian upgrades, according to Improve to Move SR 32.
Detours and travel advice
During earlier closures tied to the project, city and INDOT crews have routed detoured traffic onto U.S. 31 and State Road 38 as the official way around downtown. Drivers are encouraged to follow posted signs and use navigation apps to find the quickest alternate routes when lanes are shut. Motorists are also asked to slow down through work zones and be ready for occasional lane shifts while crews line up permanent repairs. Construction notices from the city spell out detour options and share updates on nearby closures, according to the City of Westfield.
Stay informed
For a closer look at the sinkhole response, including photos and the full advisory, residents can check INDOT East Central on Facebook. Real-time traffic conditions and any new lane restrictions are posted on the state’s map at 511in.org. Project leaders say schedules for permanent repairs related to the SR 32 work will be shared on the corridor’s project site as plans are finalized.
