Update on I-69 Extension in Indiana

[mukade]

A portion of the Interstate 69 interchange in Monroe County is expected to be open to traffic by the end of the year. "If Mother Nature is willing, traffic will be moved over,"  said Chriss Jobe, construction area engineer for Section 4 of I-69...

Ind. 37 traffic to be diverted to I-69 interchange in Monroe County by year's end (Indiana Economic Digest)

Officials: Biggest prize, challenge for I-69 is funding to complete highway (Indiana Economic Digest)

[andy]

Another article.  Somewhat pessimistic about funding, some about the Evansville bridge.
But this seems overly optimistic;
http://www.ibj.com/articles/50097-state-still-uncertain-on-finishing-i-69-extension

Construction is underway on a 27-mile section between Bloomington and Crane that could open late this year.

I saw an expectation of December 2015 (can't remember where) earlier this week. I think the construction companies are keeping as low a profile as they can and that is leading to folks not really knowing what's up.

The official website does show good progress on the south-west part (231 to 45);
http://www.i69indyevn.org/section-design-schedule

I was able to drive parts of the construction a few weeks ago. (sorry no pictures, yet.)  I always thought the south-west parts would be tough construction, but they are making remarkable progress and I wouldn't be surprised by this part opening next summer.

[thefro]

This article has a little more info on the construction status of Section 4 right now
http://www.wbiw.com/local/archive/2014/10/portion-of-i-69-expected-to-open-by-end-of-year.php

A portion of the Interstate 69 interchange in Monroe County is expected to be open to traffic by the end of the year.

Chriss Jobe, construction area engineer for Section 4 of I-69 says that the interchange is located between That Road and Victor Pike. Currently the southbound traffic has been diverted into one of the northbound lanes of Ind. 37 to accommodate construction crews.

Jobe hopes to have enough paving done to move traffic over to the new interchange and close Ind. 37's northbound lane by early December.

The rest of Section 4, the 27-mile stretch from Naval Support Activity Crane to Bloomington, won't be finished until the end of 2015.

That's about a year after the original expected completion date. Construction was delayed due to a wet spring and summer in 2013.

Jobe says 80 percent of the dirt moving for Section 4 is complete as well as 80 percent of the drainage work and 70 percent of the section's 49 bridge structures are complete, but only 10 percent of the paving work is done. The rest of the paving will be done in the spring and summer of 2015. Concrete will be used for most of the paving because it was determined to be more cost effective than asphalt.

[Henry]

I'm not surprised at all that they chose to build I-69 on top of IN 37 to Bloomington! Methinks the same thing will be done when the Interstate eventually reaches Indianapolis.

[silverback1065]

I'm not surprised at all that they chose to build I-69 on top of IN 37 to Bloomington! Methinks the same thing will be done when the Interstate eventually reaches Indianapolis.

That's exactly what they're doing from indy to bloomington.

[silverback1065]

Is sr 37 2 lanes in the new interchange or were they cheap and made it only 1

[hbelkins]

That Rd.? Seriously?

[silverback1065]

That Rd.? Seriously?

Which road are you talking about?

[NE2]

That Rd.? Seriously?

Which road are you talking about?

No, Which Rd. is on second.

[tdindy88]

That Rd.? Seriously?

Yes, seriously. I worked at a camp nearby that had a "This Trail" and "That Trail." I'm not sure if it was inspired by this road.

[ARMOURERERIC]

It used to go to Marlo Thomas' vacation home.

BTW, that 69/37 interchange diagram is different from the one I had seen previously

[NWI_Irish96]

That Rd.? Seriously?

Marshall County has A Road.

[andy]

BTW, that 69/37 interchange diagram is different from the one I had seen previously

There was a modified round-about for a while, but someone wised up.

[Grzrd]

This November 1 Indiana Public Media article reports that the trumpet option has been chosen and that a contractor has been selected to build it:

I know it's a moot point, since the trumpet interchange has been selected by INDOT, but I wonder what purpose is served by the two segments that I've marked in red below. If those are removed, the circle is unneeded and that part of the road can be straightened out.

BTW, that 69/37 interchange diagram is different from the one I had seen previously

There was a modified round-about for a while, but someone wised up.

I just wanted to post the above rejected roundabout option for historical purposes. INDOT probably reached the same conclusion as theline.

[silverback1065]

The roundabout idea was a terrible one glad they realized that

[hbelkins]

That Rd.? Seriously?

Which road are you talking about?

The road in this graphic:

[theline]

This November 1 Indiana Public Media article reports that the trumpet option has been chosen and that a contractor has been selected to build it:

I know it's a moot point, since the trumpet interchange has been selected by INDOT, but I wonder what purpose is served by the two segments that I've marked in red below. If those are removed, the circle is unneeded and that part of the road can be straightened out.

BTW, that 69/37 interchange diagram is different from the one I had seen previously

There was a modified round-about for a while, but someone wised up.

I just wanted to post the above rejected roundabout option for historical purposes. INDOT probably reached the same conclusion as theline.

You're welcome INDOT! Now that you've seen what I can do, I'm available for further consultation, at a reasonable fee. 

[TheStranger]

BTW, that 69/37 interchange diagram is different from the one I had seen previously

There was a modified round-about for a while, but someone wised up.

When I saw the depiction of the planned roundabout, I recognized the design...

It's the same type used on many of the Keystone Parkway interchanges!

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Keystone+Ave,+Indianapolis,+IN+46240/@39.9857986,-86.114322,215m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x8814addb4d405ed7:0x1d216a9cc8883a22

Considering the importance of SR 37 I was surprised this design was ever suggested for the junction with I-69.

[silverback1065]

It was a terrible idea good they realized that

[MikeSantNY78]

BTW, that 69/37 interchange diagram is different from the one I had seen previously

There was a modified round-about for a while, but someone wised up.

When I saw the depiction of the planned roundabout, I recognized the design...

It's the same type used on many of the Keystone Parkway interchanges!

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Keystone+Ave,+Indianapolis,+IN+46240/@39.9857986,-86.114322,215m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x8814addb4d405ed7:0x1d216a9cc8883a22

Considering the importance of SR 37 I was surprised this design was ever suggested for the junction with I-69.

So it's kinda like a funky, non-crossover version of a DDI... (quote placement corrected)

[billtm]

BTW, that 69/37 interchange diagram is different from the one I had seen previously

There was a modified round-about for a while, but someone wised up.

When I saw the depiction of the planned roundabout, I recognized the design...

It's the same type used on many of the Keystone Parkway interchanges!

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Keystone+Ave,+Indianapolis,+IN+46240/@39.9857986,-86.114322,215m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x8814addb4d405ed7:0x1d216a9cc8883a22

Considering the importance of SR 37 I was surprised this design was ever suggested for the junction with I-69.

So it's kinda like a funky, non-crossover version of a DDI... (quote placement corrected)

Well, it's actually called a Dogbone interchange.

Further reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_interchange#Dogbone
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interchange_%28road%29

[mukade]

It could be up to three years before anyone knows the exact route of Interstate 69 from Martinsville to Indianapolis. At the I-69 Regional Summit in Bloomington last week, Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Karl Browning said the path won't be determined until the next level environmental study has been completed...

Exact route of I-69 Section 6 Martinsville-Indianapolis still years away (Indiana Economic Digest)

[thefro]

A few updates this morning... Section 5 construction (from the public-private partnership) starts tonight between That Road & SR 46. 
http://www.wbiw.com/local/archive/2014/10/i-69-development-partners-announces-public-open-house-wednesday.php

The first phase of the I-69 reconstruction is tied to completion of traffic improvements in Bloomington such as a new interchange at Tapp Road, a third lane in each direction, a new overpass at Rockport Road and changes to That Road.

http://www.wbiw.com/local/archive/2014/10/single-lane-closures-on-ind-37.php

The I-69 Development Partners Team announce single lane closures on State Road 37 between That Road and S.R. 46. These closures will be begin nightly on or after Tuesday.

The closures will take place between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. each night.

This work will continue through Nov. 7. The contractor will be working nightly to minimize the impact to motorists.

Their work hours will be Monday through Friday from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. each day, weather permitting.

The I-69 Development Partners Team reminds drivers to use caution and consider worker safety when driving through a construction zone.

Also they are starting on the Tier 2 study for Section 6, which should be an interesting political fight.

http://www.buildi69.com/

INDOT is pleased to announce the resumption of environmental activities leading to a Tier 2 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Section 6 of I-69, connecting Martinsville to Indianapolis.  With the completion of Sections 1, 2, and 3 and the continued progress through Sections 4 and 5, the resumption of Section 6 is in line with Governor Pence's emphasis to "finish what you start" .

The Section 6 study will be prepared by FHWA and INDOT, with support from HNTB and Lochmueller Group. The study will include alternatives analysis and environmental studies consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other laws.

With the resumption of the Section 6 study, the appropriate federal and state resource agencies and the public will be included in additional scoping activities. These scoping activities will identify additional alternatives for completing Section 6. All alternatives will connect Section 5 of I-69 in Martinsville with I-465 in Indianapolis. The alternatives may be outside the Tier 1 corridor for some or most of their length and may connect to I-465 directly or via I-65 or I-70. Additional schedule details on the timing of the environmental activities will be published later this year after consultation with various resource agencies."

Agencies and the public will have opportunities to comment during this scoping process and throughout the development of the proposed project. A date for a scoping meeting for regulatory agencies to address Section 6 will be established at a later date. A public Information meeting for this Tier 2 section will also be scheduled at a later date.

[MikeSantNY78]

BTW, that 69/37 interchange diagram is different from the one I had seen previously

There was a modified round-about for a while, but someone wised up.

When I saw the depiction of the planned roundabout, I recognized the design...

It's the same type used on many of the Keystone Parkway interchanges!

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Keystone+Ave,+Indianapolis,+IN+46240/@39.9857986,-86.114322,215m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x8814addb4d405ed7:0x1d216a9cc8883a22

Considering the importance of SR 37 I was surprised this design was ever suggested for the junction with I-69.

So it's kinda like a funky, non-crossover version of a DDI... (quote placement corrected)

Well, it's actually called a Dogbone interchange.

Further reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_interchange#Dogbone
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interchange_%28road%29

[andy]

I did make it to the public meeting today.
The materials presented were focused on giving folks a chance to vote on aesthetic designs for bridges and overpasses.  Unfortunately I did not see any links to find the materials online.

The section 5 does have a website;
http://www.i69section5.org/

Also, Evansville paper had a short write up;
http://www.courierpress.com/news/facing-our-future/construction-to-begin-this-fall-on-latest-phase-of-i69-a-publicprivate-partnership_97177433

On the drive up, I passed over I-69 at SR45.  Looking good.  Most of the dirt work near that exchange looks nearly complete and a concrete plant has been set up.  One of the reps at the meeting said, unofficially, not to be surprised if the road is done well before the current December 2015 estimate.