Update on I-69 Extension in Indiana

[seicer]

But for one side of the interstate - and for a specific segment? Someone noted (in another thread) that it may have been part of a concrete pavement experiment: https://goo.gl/maps/qRJfRATf2mRJb8WD9

I am curious if it was an experiment and if there is documentation of others. Each state has experiments it runs on pavement types, marking reflectivity, etc. It'd be curious as to Indiana's.

[The Ghostbuster]

Maybe once Interstate 69 is completed to Interstate 465 in Indianapolis, they can correct the exit renumbering mistake they made by adding 200 to the pre-existing exit numbers instead of adding the actual 183 miles to the existing exit numbers. Of course, I realize that will never happen, but one can dream.

[NWI_Irish96]

Maybe once Interstate 69 is completed to Interstate 465 in Indianapolis, they can correct the exit renumbering mistake they made by adding 200 to the pre-existing exit numbers instead of adding the actual 183 miles to the existing exit numbers. Of course, I realize that will never happen, but one can dream.

I believe that once the rest of 69 is finished, including the Ohio River Bridge, they do intend to renumber the exits.

[tdindy88]

My father was at a meeting last year about Section 6 and asked about the exits. According to the official he spoke with they do intend on changing the exit numbers when all is said and done. I don't think though that the Ohio River Bridge will alter much of the numbers on the southern leg of the highway.

[mvak36]

Maybe once Interstate 69 is completed to Interstate 465 in Indianapolis, they can correct the exit renumbering mistake they made by adding 200 to the pre-existing exit numbers instead of adding the actual 183 miles to the existing exit numbers. Of course, I realize that will never happen, but one can dream.

I believe that once the rest of 69 is finished, including the Ohio River Bridge, they do intend to renumber the exits.

I thought they already re-numbered the exits north of I-465. Google Maps (and Street View) shows the 82nd Street/Castleton exit as Exit 201.

[ilpt4u]

Maybe once Interstate 69 is completed to Interstate 465 in Indianapolis, they can correct the exit renumbering mistake they made by adding 200 to the pre-existing exit numbers instead of adding the actual 183 miles to the existing exit numbers. Of course, I realize that will never happen, but one can dream.

I believe that once the rest of 69 is finished, including the Ohio River Bridge, they do intend to renumber the exits.

I thought they already re-numbered the exits north of I-465. Google Maps (and Street View) shows the 82nd Street/Castleton exit as Exit 201.

And it used to be Exit 1. Hence the "rough guess"  +200 to the original/northern I-69 that INDOT came up with before the full routing of I-69 was finalized

We now know the finalized routing and mileage. It was expected that the +200 would be a bit long, but we now know the actual mileage for the Southern section and the routing around I-465/South and East sides back up to Castleton will be right at 183 miles

[mvak36]

Maybe once Interstate 69 is completed to Interstate 465 in Indianapolis, they can correct the exit renumbering mistake they made by adding 200 to the pre-existing exit numbers instead of adding the actual 183 miles to the existing exit numbers. Of course, I realize that will never happen, but one can dream.

I believe that once the rest of 69 is finished, including the Ohio River Bridge, they do intend to renumber the exits.

I thought they already re-numbered the exits north of I-465. Google Maps (and Street View) shows the 82nd Street/Castleton exit as Exit 201.

And it used to be Exit 1. Hence the "rough guess"  +200 to the original/northern I-69 that INDOT came up with before the full routing of I-69 was finalized

We now know the finalized routing and mileage. It was expected that the +200 would be a bit long, but we now know the actual mileage for the Southern section and the routing around I-465/South and East sides back up to Castleton will be right at 183 miles

I see. I misunderstood what they meant by re-numbering it. My mistake.

How much work was involved when they did the first renumbering? They just added a number(2 or 3) to all the signs?

[abqtraveler]

Maybe once Interstate 69 is completed to Interstate 465 in Indianapolis, they can correct the exit renumbering mistake they made by adding 200 to the pre-existing exit numbers instead of adding the actual 183 miles to the existing exit numbers. Of course, I realize that will never happen, but one can dream.

I believe that once the rest of 69 is finished, including the Ohio River Bridge, they do intend to renumber the exits.

I thought they already re-numbered the exits north of I-465. Google Maps (and Street View) shows the 82nd Street/Castleton exit as Exit 201.

And it used to be Exit 1. Hence the "rough guess"  +200 to the original/northern I-69 that INDOT came up with before the full routing of I-69 was finalized

We now know the finalized routing and mileage. It was expected that the +200 would be a bit long, but we now know the actual mileage for the Southern section and the routing around I-465/South and East sides back up to Castleton will be right at 183 miles

I see. I misunderstood what they meant by re-numbering it. My mistake.

How much work was involved when they did the first renumbering? They just added a number(2 or 3) to all the signs?

They could probably get away without a second renumbering of the northern section of I-69 because exits and mileage where I-69 overlaps I-465 will be based on I-465 mileage, so there would be no obvious sign of the disconnect to the casual motorist. Yes, it would be about 16 miles off the actual mileage, but if it were me, I'd leave it alone.

[silverback1065]

there will be no renumbering, they added 200 to the mileage on purpose because INDOT thought that was less confusing than adding 183 to people used to the old exits. their logic also was since it overlaps 465 for so long, noone would notice the mileage being off. also concrete sections of interstate, at least in indiana are only that way because of cost. if during the bid the concrete bit was cheaper than asphalt they will go for that. not all projects are bid with an asphalt and concrete option though, but this was the case for 69. they also perform a pavement design which i am sure has a factor in which pavement type they choose.

[tdindy88]

On the other hand, do people even care what the exit number is these days? Especially with GPS guiding people I don't think the exit number matters as much now as the actual road name. When taking I-69 north, do you say you're getting off at Exit 205 or 116th Street? I take I-465 to get to work off of Rockville Road each day, I never say I'm using Exit 13. Just now I had to look up the exit list for I-465 and I'm quite good with maps and highways. The point is, keeping it at where the exit numbers are currently at may not matter much to the causal motorist, but renumbering them to be proper with the rest of I-69 may not matter much either. So I think they could renumber the exits again or leave them alone without too many problems.

[zzcarp]

On the other hand, do people even care what the exit number is these days? Especially with GPS guiding people I don't think the exit number matters as much now as the actual road name. When taking I-69 north, do you say you're getting off at Exit 205 or 116th Street? I take I-465 to get to work off of Rockville Road each day, I never say I'm using Exit 13. Just now I had to look up the exit list for I-465 and I'm quite good with maps and highways. The point is, keeping it at where the exit numbers are currently at may not matter much to the causal motorist, but renumbering them to be proper with the rest of I-69 may not matter much either. So I think they could renumber the exits again or leave them alone without too many problems.

For longer distance travelers, the mile-based exits matter. I know I'm always calculating how far I am from my present position to my proposed exit number (even if the road name or number matters more). I'm not dogmatic about it, but I do use them when I travel.

[Flint1979]

On the other hand, do people even care what the exit number is these days? Especially with GPS guiding people I don't think the exit number matters as much now as the actual road name. When taking I-69 north, do you say you're getting off at Exit 205 or 116th Street? I take I-465 to get to work off of Rockville Road each day, I never say I'm using Exit 13. Just now I had to look up the exit list for I-465 and I'm quite good with maps and highways. The point is, keeping it at where the exit numbers are currently at may not matter much to the causal motorist, but renumbering them to be proper with the rest of I-69 may not matter much either. So I think they could renumber the exits again or leave them alone without too many problems.

I  rarely refer to an exit by it's number. I know the number's sometimes but then there are times that I know the exit by the road name that the exit leads to rather than the number. Like around me I-75 Exit 144 is the Bridgeport exit and saying the Bridgeport exit most people will know what you are talking about but maybe not for long distance travelers that are unfamiliar with the area.

[Revive 755]

For longer distance travelers, the mile-based exits matter. I know I'm always calculating how far I am from my present position to my proposed exit number (even if the road name or number matters more). I'm not dogmatic about it, but I do use them when I travel.

Same for me - the number can come in handy when trying to decide whether to leave the highway based on advance warning of an incident from a message board or try to stay on until my intended exit.

Plus it can be easier to remember just the exit number, and the exit number sometimes changes less than the route number/street name at the exit (due to JT's/decommissionings).  Then there are the times the route number is omitted at the exit, or fun cases where the road name changes near the interchange so the road I am seeking is not signed.

[ibthebigd]

It's easier when a city has multiple exits. I live I Georgetown Ky and with a huge Toyota plant served by all 3 exits it makes it easier to know what exit to get off by the numbers.

SM-G950U

[PurdueBill]

Maybe once Interstate 69 is completed to Interstate 465 in Indianapolis, they can correct the exit renumbering mistake they made by adding 200 to the pre-existing exit numbers instead of adding the actual 183 miles to the existing exit numbers. Of course, I realize that will never happen, but one can dream.

I believe that once the rest of 69 is finished, including the Ohio River Bridge, they do intend to renumber the exits.

I thought they already re-numbered the exits north of I-465. Google Maps (and Street View) shows the 82nd Street/Castleton exit as Exit 201.

And it used to be Exit 1. Hence the “rough guess” +200 to the original/northern I-69 that INDOT came up with before the full routing of I-69 was finalized

We now know the finalized routing and mileage. It was expected that the +200 would be a bit long, but we now know the actual mileage for the Southern section and the routing around I-465/South and East sides back up to Castleton will be right at 183 miles

I see. I misunderstood what they meant by re-numbering it. My mistake.

How much work was involved when they did the first renumbering? They just added a number(2 or 3) to all the signs?

There are still a few signs out there that show slapping on a 2 (the easiest-to-see examples being the type where Series D had a E(M) numeral added like this one).

[abqtraveler]

On the other hand, do people even care what the exit number is these days? Especially with GPS guiding people I don't think the exit number matters as much now as the actual road name. When taking I-69 north, do you say you're getting off at Exit 205 or 116th Street? I take I-465 to get to work off of Rockville Road each day, I never say I'm using Exit 13. Just now I had to look up the exit list for I-465 and I'm quite good with maps and highways. The point is, keeping it at where the exit numbers are currently at may not matter much to the causal motorist, but renumbering them to be proper with the rest of I-69 may not matter much either. So I think they could renumber the exits again or leave them alone without too many problems.

And to your point, California went several decades without numbering their exits or having standard mileposts (they still use a county-based postmile system, except for a couple of highways in the Mojave Desert where they experimented with standard mileposts). It was only around 2000 when the FHWA mandated that California add exit numbers to its highways did they start doing so. Even so, CALTRANS is slow-rolling numbering their exits, only doing so when signs are due for replacement. Even today. there are still a lot of exits whose numbers are not displayed on signage.

[abqtraveler]

Maybe once Interstate 69 is completed to Interstate 465 in Indianapolis, they can correct the exit renumbering mistake they made by adding 200 to the pre-existing exit numbers instead of adding the actual 183 miles to the existing exit numbers. Of course, I realize that will never happen, but one can dream.

I believe that once the rest of 69 is finished, including the Ohio River Bridge, they do intend to renumber the exits.

I thought they already re-numbered the exits north of I-465. Google Maps (and Street View) shows the 82nd Street/Castleton exit as Exit 201.

And it used to be Exit 1. Hence the "rough guess"  +200 to the original/northern I-69 that INDOT came up with before the full routing of I-69 was finalized

We now know the finalized routing and mileage. It was expected that the +200 would be a bit long, but we now know the actual mileage for the Southern section and the routing around I-465/South and East sides back up to Castleton will be right at 183 miles

I see. I misunderstood what they meant by re-numbering it. My mistake.

How much work was involved when they did the first renumbering? They just added a number(2 or 3) to all the signs?

There are still a few signs out there that show slapping on a 2 (the easiest-to-see examples being the type where Series D had a E(M) numeral added like this one).

I remember driving up I-69 from Indy to Fort Wayne while they were doing the exit number change. For most signs they overlaid the whole exit number tab with a new tab made from sheet aluminum. There were a few signs where the exit tab had enough room to add a "2" to the exit number, and there were a few others where they completely replaced the exit tab with a new one made from extruded aluminum. At the time INDOT had posted "Old Exit XX" signs at each interchange to help motorists adjust to the change.

I last drove that stretch in November 2018, and the "Old Exit XX" signs have since been removed.

[silverback1065]

On the other hand, do people even care what the exit number is these days? Especially with GPS guiding people I don't think the exit number matters as much now as the actual road name. When taking I-69 north, do you say you're getting off at Exit 205 or 116th Street? I take I-465 to get to work off of Rockville Road each day, I never say I'm using Exit 13. Just now I had to look up the exit list for I-465 and I'm quite good with maps and highways. The point is, keeping it at where the exit numbers are currently at may not matter much to the causal motorist, but renumbering them to be proper with the rest of I-69 may not matter much either. So I think they could renumber the exits again or leave them alone without too many problems.

And to your point, California went several decades without numbering their exits or having standard mileposts (they still use a county-based postmile system, except for a couple of highways in the Mojave Desert where they experimented with standard mileposts). It was only around 2000 when the FHWA mandated that California add exit numbers to its highways did they start doing so. Even so, CALTRANS is slow-rolling numbering their exits, only doing so when signs are due for replacement. Even today. there are still a lot of exits whose numbers are not displayed on signage.

that and many other factors make driving on california interstates infuriating. their signs are trash, impossible to see at night and they don't post mileposts at all.

[thefro]

INDOT just put up a page on the I-69 Finish Line Site about the SR 37 closure in Martinsville in 2021 for I-69 construction with a bunch of information

https://i69finishline.com/closure/

[silverback1065]

I don't understand why anyone would take the official detour to avoid this, assuming you are driving from 465 to SR 39. why would you take 37 down only to double back up 144 to get up to 67? just take 67 the whole way down to 39!

[I-55]

I don't understand why anyone would take the official detour to avoid this, assuming you are driving from 465 to SR 39. why would you take 37 down only to double back up 144 to get up to 67? just take 67 the whole way down to 39!

My guess is that they wanted to keep 37 traffic on 37 as much as possible to avoid overloading 67. I'm not that familiar with the traffic on 67 but I know that 37 has bad enough traffic to warrant an interstate.

[tdindy88]

In reality I think a big chunk of the detour traffic will just stay on SR 67 all the way up to I-465. There's clearly a reason they've been repaving that whole stretch of roadway this year even if it's not part of the official detour. The SR 37 traffic they want to retain on 37 will be very local (Center Grove and Morgan County folks only.)

[ITB]

In reality I think a big chunk of the detour traffic will just stay on SR 67 all the way up to I-465. There's clearly a reason they've been repaving that whole stretch of roadway this year even if it's not part of the official detour. The SR 37 traffic they want to retain on 37 will be very local (Center Grove and Morgan County folks only.)

I agree. A good amount of traffic will just stay on SR 67 to I-465. But because of probable congestion and the numerous lights between Mooresville and I-465 – Camby Road, Ameriplex Pkwy., etc. – some drivers may look for alternatives, and finding a way to get back on SR 37 could be one of them.

[ITB]

 
Here's a couple of pictures of the SR 37/SR 144 intersection, which is, depending on which way one is traveling, the start or end of the official detour. Photos were taken Saturday, December 5, 2020. Be sure to expand the photos for a closer look.

State Road 37/State Road 144 intersection

Looking north toward State Road 37 from near the SR 37/Banta Road intersection in Morgan County, Indiana. In the background is the SR 37/SR 144 intersection, and further back, the skyline of downtown Indianapolis (center) and the smokestacks of Indianapolis Power and Light's Harding Street Generating Station (left).


Slightly closer look.

[ITB]

Today, December 20, 2020, Catalent Pharma will begin shipping the Moderna Covid vaccine from its Bloomington, Indiana, vaccine production facility. In all likelihood, many of the vaccine shipments will be taken to the FedEx hub at Indianapolis International Airport for distribution throughout the United States and, in time, around the world. UPS, too, is deeply involved in the distribution of both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, and it's a good bet large numbers of shipments from Catalent will be processed through UPS's hub in Louisville, where a super-cold storage facility is located. Due to the importance of the cargo, there are likely strict protocols on what routes the trucks will take, maximum speed, etc.

Update: For clarity, here's a more complete explanation of how the Moderna vaccine will be distributed, as far as I understand it. From its manufacturing facility in Bloomington, Indiana, Catalent will release the vaccine to McKesson, a large American medical supply company and one of world's largest distributors of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. Once McKesson is in possession, the vaccine will be taken to warehouses where it will repackaged into smaller lots for hospitals, medical facilities, and pharmacies. These smaller, individually addressed packaged lots then will be delivered to the FedEx hubs in Memphis and Indianapolis and to the UPS hub in Louisville for distribution throughout the United States. UPS and FedEx will then deliver the vaccine to roughly 3,700 locations in the U.S., the so-called "final mile" of the delivery process.


Courtesy Google Maps.
Route the trucks will likely use leaving Catalent Pharma to reach Interstate 69 in Bloomington, Indiana. The FedEx hub in Indianapolis is about 45 miles to the north. The UPS hub in Louisville is about 105 miles driving distance to the south via SR 46 east to Columbus, Indiana, and then I-65 south.

Link: Article about Catalent and the Moderna vaccine https://www.wthr.com/article/news/health/bloomingtons-catalent-plays-key-role-in-producing-moderna-vaccine/531-a6af39fa-5b28-4921-b952-b6f6905d3f64

Edit: Added the link to the article; added UPS info; added info about McKesson.