CNHI News Indiana
The last leg of the often controversial extension of Interstate 69 in southern Indiana may begin construction in 2020, costing nearly $1.5 billion but further reducing travel time between Evansville and Indianapolis, officials with the Indiana Department of Transportation said.
Details on that leg of the project were presented to about 200 people at Martinsville High School on Tuesday. Most were concerned about their access to the route that would replace Indiana 37 between Martinsville and Indianapolis.
I-69 has been constructed between Evansville and Bloomington. Construction is underway through Bloomington’s west side.
The last leg is expected to reduce travel time by 11 minutes between Martinsville in Morgan County and downtown Indianapolis. Currently, the travel time is usually about 51 minutes; the extension will turn the road into limited access, removing intersections with stoplights and widening traffic lanes.
The road would expand to three to four lanes as the interstate gets closer to Indianapolis.
The last leg found itself on shaky ground when the original project developer’s parent company, Isolux Corsun, filed for bankruptcy. This summer, the state took over the project.
Of the $1.5 billion cost for the final leg, there are commitments of $263 million for the Morgan County section; $153.2 million for Johnson County; and $138 million for Marion County. The remainder is pledged through an INDOT 30-year plan.
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