INDIANAPOLIS -- Navigating through the maze of downtown construction projects can be frustrating for anyone, but for those who depend on wheelchairs, getting around has become nearly impossible.

As part of the $182 million Rebuild Indy project, the city is currently rebuilding 21 downtown intersections, leaving many sidewalks impassible.

A man who only wanted to give his name as Phil told 6News' Jack Rinehart that he's already had several close calls in his wheelchair.

"(Near) Delaware and Washington (streets), there's a 12-inch drop off from the curb into the street," he said. "I had someone try to help me off the bus stop there and he lost his grip, and when the chair came down, it broke the weld off my chair, and I fell into the street."

Until he can save up for a new wheelchair, which will likely cost him $400, Phil has bound his broken one together with plastic and wire hangers.

Lawyer Walter Bravard, who navigates with an electric-powered wheelchair, said the construction has added another difficulty to getting from place to place.

"I have to go out into the street sometime or backtrack, sometimes a block," he said. "I have to go different routes to find access to certain building. It's an inconvenience, but I'm getting around."

The city estimates that one in five residents has a disability that limits their movement.

Juli Paini, who heads the city's Office of Disability Affairs, said the city gives disability and accessibility complaints a high priority.

"Those get quickly directed over the engineers and outreach teams so that folks can go out and evaluate those particular locations," she said.

David Amick, who navigates with the help of crutches, said he is frustrated by the temporary issues but believes those with disabilities will be better off in the long run.

"We're going to have a brilliant layout downtown," Amick said. "It's going to be very accessible to all, new and smooth and, overall, quite good."

Anyone having difficulty navigating downtown streets is asked to call the Mayor's Action Center at 317-327-4MAC.

Construction downtown is expected to be finished by mid-December.