TRANSPORTATION

INDOT shares I-69 construction schedule affecting Martinsville, Greenwood, Indianapolis

Kellie Hwang
IndyStar

Indiana Department of Transportation officials have announced the construction schedule for the final section of the I-69 highway project, with the final stretch into Indianapolis expected to wrap up in 2024.

Transportation Department officials are holding a series of open houses this week to outline the schedule, detail the construction work and answer questions. A meeting in Indianapolis is set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Perry Meridian High School. 

"We're really trying to be open and transparent with every single community that we're touching as we build I-69," INDOT media director Mallory Duncan said. "Obviously we are touching a lot of people in a lot of different communities in three different counties as we go through this last portion of I-69."

Work on the 142-mile extension of I-69 from Evansville to Indianapolis began more than 10 years ago and encountered a series of delays. The final leg, Section 6, will cost about $1.5 billion.

The project will upgrade the existing Ind. 37 to interstate standards from the Indian Creek bridge south of Martinsville to I-465 in Indianapolis. The project also will produce 26 miles of new highway and 35 lane miles of new local access roads, according to INDOT.

Duncan encourages residents to visit I69FinishLine.com for project updates that range from "a random lane closure to when we're starting a new contract." She said additional meetings will be held later.   

Martinsville residents gather Monday at Martinsville High School to hear updates about the I-69 Section 6 project.

The final section timeline is split into five construction contracts, each covering portions of the highway or work on local roads. The current schedule only lists the years; Duncan said more specifics will be shared as construction nears. 

CONTRACT 1

  • Project: Local roads in Martinsville.
  • Dates: Construction began this year and will continue through 2020.

CONTRACT 2

  • Project: I-69 from Ind. 39 to Morgan Street and interchanges at Ind. 39, Ohio Street and Ind. 44/252.
  • Dates: Contract bidding is expected to occur in November, with construction occurring in 2020, 2021 and 2022. 

CONTRACT 3

  • Project: Local access roads in Morgan County and interchanges at Henderson Ford Road.
  • Dates: Contract bidding is expected to happen in January 2020 with construction expected in 2020 and 2021.

CONTRACT 4

  • Project: I-69 from Morgan Street to Fairview Road and interchanges at Ind. 144, County Line Road and Smith Valley Road.
  • Dates: Contract bidding is planned for fall 2020 with construction expected in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

CONTRACT 5

  • Project: I-69 from Fairview Road to and including I-465 and interchanges at Southport Road, Epler Avenue and I-465. 
  • Dates: Contract bidding is expected to occur in fall 2020 with construction planned for 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. 

Work is now focused to local roads in Martinsville, including the opening of the newly constructed Artesian Avenue that connects Mahalasville Road near South Elementary School to Grand Valley Boulevard. Other projects include building the Grand Valley Boulevard overpass and extending Grand Valley Boulevard to intersect with Cramertown Loop.

Residents check the I-69 Section 6 maps during the Martinsville open house.

Sheila Chafin, 62, a lifelong resident of Martinsville, said she was concerned years ago when she initially heard about the I-69 project.  

"I was worried it would bring a lot more traffic coming to my country road," said Chafin, who attended an open house Monday at Martinsville High School. "But I've been learning a lot ... and am being open-minded. What they've done so far south of Martinsville has been really nice."

Sarah Rubin, deputy director of projects for INDOT,  said the agency is working on acquiring 600 parcels throughout the corridor, and the parcels are all in the process of being appraised or purchased or people already have been relocated.

Duncan said to expect "growing pains" with the project but INDOT promised a 2024 opening. 

"We're working on improving detour routes right now," she said. "There's a lot of repaving, lot of patching. In some places we're widening to account for the extra traffic. So we are doing things to help ease all of the public's headaches as we move through this process." 

Contact IndyStar reporter Kellie Hwang at 317-444-6032 or kellie.hwang@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter: @KellieHwang.