Update on I-69 Extension in Indiana

[The Ghostbuster]

I think they should have renumbered the existing mileposts and exit numbers on pre-existing Interstate 69 by the mileage of the distance 69 was being extended, which is 184 miles. However, what was done is done.

[SSR_317]

As we all know the northern section of 69 starts at the 200 mile marker even though its off 20 miles or so. Is this common around the country to do this?

No, but INDOT wanted to get the renumbering along the original "Classic I-69" out of the way, and at the time didn't yet know the exact routing (and thus the mileage) of the southern extension. So they decided that adding 200 to the existing exit numbers would suffice. That decision had the added benefit of making it easier on the motorists already familiar with I-69 in that it was consistent..."Just add (or subtract) 200!".

Now if they had just called the "southern extension" Interstate 63 (at least to Memphis), it not only would have fit into the overall Interstate numbering plan better, but would've had the added advantage of not having to change the pre-existing I-69 exit numbers, and would have eliminated this mileage discrepancy altogether. Of course then they would've lost the meaningless benefit of "One number from Canada to México", but with the suffixed southern ends in Texas, they really didn't get that in the current scheme anyway.

[mvak36]

Are they planning to update the mile markers once 69 is done? Or will they leave those as they are? It feels like this was discussed previously on one of these threads, but I can't remember.

[The Ghostbuster]

They will likely leave them as-is, much as I personally dislike it.

[tdindy88]

I did a interesting exercise in the routing of I-69 through Indianapolis. If I-69 was routed along I-465 from Exit 5 east to Exit 53 (the south side I-65 interchange) and then multiplexed with I-65 north through the city and all the way to Exit 123 and then routed along I-465 across the northwest and north sides to Exit 37, it would be roughly a 38-39 mile routing. That would fill the gap between mile markers 163 and 200 a lot better. Not perfect but a lot closer. Not that any of this would happen of course, it would be a ridiculous routing. But if we were to be pedantic let's do it with some style!

As much as I'd like to see them update the mileage on the northern part of I-69, I can live with it remaining as it is. Few Hoosiers probably truly care exactly about this sort of thing.

[ilpt4u]

Would AASHTO or FHWA consider not giving final approval to sign the final segment of 69 being constructed now and also not along 465 until the mileage is fixed?

I mean, FHWA did lay out a list of things, that includes standardized mile markers and exit numbers for both INDOT and KYTC, before I-265 can be signed between I-65/IN and I-71 aka the "East End Crossing" which is still not complete, despite the bridge/route linking the previously physically disconnected I-265s being open since late 2016!

[Rothman]

Would AASHTO or FHWA consider not giving final approval to sign the final segment of 69 being constructed now and also not along 465 until the mileage is fixed?

AASHTO isn't involved in capital project progression.

My bet on FHWA: No.

[silverback1065]

the Mexico to Canada thing was more of a gimmick to get it built at all. A lot of us have already said on here that it will likely never be built in anyone's lifetimes 

[ITB]

Change of pace. In this batch of photos, we take a look at a corollary project of I-69 in Bloomington, and then jump back to 2015 with a selection of past and present photos. It should be noted the Bloomington project is not associated with the I-69 corridor program.

In Bloomington, Phase III of the city's south side corridor project kicked off earlier this month. In Phase III, Fullerton Pike will be extended eastward from Rockport Road to connect with Gordon Pike. This is an entirely new stretch of road about a mile in length. When completed, the road will link the I-69/Fullerton Pike interchange to the southeast side of Bloomington, enhancing a much used east-west arterial. The project is expected to complete by August 2025.


April 24, 2024
Looking east toward Fullerton Pike from the eastern traffic circle of the I-69/Fullerton Pike interchange. Currently, Fullerton Pike ends at an intersection with Rockport Road. For some reason, the road was never pushed further east to intersect with Gordon Pike. Until now, that is.


April 24, 2024
Zoomed in shot. In the background are the signal-controlled intersections of Rhorer Road and S. Walnut Street and, further back, Rhorer Road and S. Walnut Street Pike. The distance covered in the photo is roughly two miles.

This road corridor is one of those that changes names, going from Fullerton Pike in the west to Gordon Pike, and then to Rhorer Road. Rhorer Road begins at the S. Walnut Street intersection and heads east. Phases I and II of the corridor project widened Rhorer Road and Gordon Pike between S. Walnut Street Pike and S. Rogers Road. At the Gordon Pike/Rogers Road intersection, a large roundabout was built (not visible), and at the S. Walnut Street Pike/Rhorer Road intersection, a light was installed, replacing stop signs (deep background). Planned for the future is a Phase IV, in which Rhorer Road will widened from S. Walnut Street Pike to Sare Road.


April 19, 2024
Closer look of the recently commenced construction; looking east. Milestone Contractors is the project's prime contractor; Crider and Crider, a sub. The just-shy-of $19 million construction contract was awarded in January of this year.


April 19, 2024
Another look at the work zone. There's a creek down there somewhere, the west branch of Clear Creek. Included in the project is a long 525' bridge. It appears the rows of stakes indicate where the bridge piers will be located. In the mid-background, the Clear Creek Trail runs across the frame.


April 24, 2024
Hampered by the position of the sun, here's the view looking west. In the deep background, the I-69/Fullerton Pike interchange's eastern roundabout can be partially discerned (better seen when the photo is expanded).


April 24, 2024
Another zoomed in shot, slightly cropped. Bachelor Middle School, one of the county's three middle schools, is located near the intersection of Gordon Pike and S. Rogers Road. Also, nearby, is a new county library branch. Neither are visible but are roughly located to the left of the stop sign in the background. Bear in mind again, this is two miles in distance.

Moving on, a blast from the past:


April 24, 2024
In southwest Monroe County, looking east toward I-69 from the Harmony Road bridge.


August 23, 2015
The view about eight and half years ago, looking a little rough.


September 18, 2015
Then this.


October 23, 2015
And by late October the paving crew was at work.


October 23, 2015
Different angle.


October 23, 2015
Slightly zoomed in look.


November 5, 2015
Paving the outside shoulder with asphalt and sealing joints. Just about done.


April 24, 2024
Hard to believe this section of I-69 will be nine years old come December.


April 24, 2024
And a cropped perspective.


October 29, 2015
The newly built Harmony Road bridge, which was opened to traffic in the fall of 2015; looking northwest.


April 20, 2024
The bridge as it is today, looking north. The fencing went up about two years after the bridge was opened, probably, I suspect, due to an incident.


April 20, 2024
One last one, the view looking west from the bridge.

[ITB]

Here's a few recent screengrabs from INDOT traffic cameras:


INDOT Traffic Camera
Last night the deck pour for the I-465W to I-69S flyover took place. Two pumper trucks with extended arm capabilities were utilized.


INDOT Traffic Camera
Zoomed in shot looking east toward I-465 from the Mann Road camera. Yesterday, the paving operation at work on the far left lane and shoulder of the future eastbound lanes (foreground, right) had to stop short prior to finishing the strip because something wasn't quite right with an area of the roadbed. That area was again worked on and paving probably resumed today.


INDOT Traffic Camera
Looking west toward I-465 and the bridge over Bluff Road. In the deep background right, the I-465W to I-69S flyover can be discerned. This image, as well as the one above, depict the work underway to complete the eastbound roadway between this point and Mann Road, about three miles west. As has been noted previously, westbound traffic will be transitioned to the new pavement, allowing reconstruction and widening of the westbound lanes and bridges to proceed.


INDOT Traffic Camera
To the south, north of the Southport Road interchange, grading work is nearly complete on the small section where the temporary southbound exit ramp to Southport Road had been located. In all likelihood this will be paved up in May.