Update on I-69 Extension in Indiana

[silverback1065]

It shouldn't. There's really no change to the mileage since the SR 37 corridor turns into I-69 and remains and INDOT-maintained highway. They don't lose or gain anything essentially. It is interesting to hear that SR 37 isn't technically going away. I guess there will remain two separate segments to SR 37.

This makes me wonder if there are other "non signed" state highways that Indiana felt that weren't needed to be signed between their segments. because they were quite local roads, and no one would be thought to have a need to follow the road number to get to the other segment. 

Only unsigned state highway I know of is 431, the state still owns keystone from 465 to 96th and is still on the books as 431.

[NE2]

It doesn't count against Indiana's mileage cap?

What do you mean by mileage cap? I am not familiar with that term.

There's a certain number of miles (12,000) of state roads that INDOT is allowed to maintain. Decommissioning would imply that the mileage is being "refunded" whereas de-signing would theoretically keep it on the books. INDOT likes to relinquish state highway mileage to local agencies (see SR 28 in Tipton or any of the old alignments of state and US highways in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, or Lafayette) to reduce their responsibility and add flexibility to build new miles (but mostly to reduce operational costs).

It's still a state road no matter how it's signed. Removing an overlap doesn't eliminate physical mileage...

[I-55]

It doesn't count against Indiana's mileage cap?

What do you mean by mileage cap? I am not familiar with that term.

There's a certain number of miles (12,000) of state roads that INDOT is allowed to maintain. Decommissioning would imply that the mileage is being "refunded" whereas de-signing would theoretically keep it on the books. INDOT likes to relinquish state highway mileage to local agencies (see SR 28 in Tipton or any of the old alignments of state and US highways in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, or Lafayette) to reduce their responsibility and add flexibility to build new miles (but mostly to reduce operational costs).

It's still a state road no matter how it's signed. Removing an overlap doesn't eliminate physical mileage...

My understanding was that INDOT would double dip on overlaps, though that's based off old interpretations I had from discussions several years ago. INDOT's so inconsistent with how they sign/unsign state routes following relinquishment (see SR 28 being routed on US 31, SR 26, SR 19) vs their plans to axe SR 32 between I-69 and IN-3 in Anderson (despite how it could easily be signed over SR 67). I didn't intend to imply that this would remove miles from the system by decommissioning the designation of 37, though my explanation of the mileage cap still stands.

[silverback1065]

It doesn't count against Indiana's mileage cap?

What do you mean by mileage cap? I am not familiar with that term.

There's a certain number of miles (12,000) of state roads that INDOT is allowed to maintain. Decommissioning would imply that the mileage is being "refunded" whereas de-signing would theoretically keep it on the books. INDOT likes to relinquish state highway mileage to local agencies (see SR 28 in Tipton or any of the old alignments of state and US highways in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, or Lafayette) to reduce their responsibility and add flexibility to build new miles (but mostly to reduce operational costs).

It's still a state road no matter how it's signed. Removing an overlap doesn't eliminate physical mileage...

My understanding was that INDOT would double dip on overlaps, though that's based off old interpretations I had from discussions several years ago. INDOT's so inconsistent with how they sign/unsign state routes following relinquishment (see SR 28 being routed on US 31, SR 26, SR 19) vs their plans to axe SR 32 between I-69 and IN-3 in Anderson (despite how it could easily be signed over SR 67). I didn't intend to imply that this would remove miles from the system by decommissioning the designation of 37, though my explanation of the mileage cap still stands.

SR 32 was decommissioned in Muncie proper, it literally ends at the western city limits then picks up again at the Muncie Bypass. there's still a few stray signs along the old route though.


Fixed quote. - rmf67

[Moose]

Only unsigned state highway I know of is 431, the state still owns keystone from 465 to 96th and is still on the books as 431.

There are lots of funny little segments of stuff the state is forced to maintain. The state can't just dump the roads on the local entities, they have to take them willingly.. sometimes with other compensation for doing so.

The state still owns old IN 135 north of where it was diverted to US 31 at its terminus. It continues to where the four lane ends just north of 465.

In the case of 431, Carmel wanted it. Indy didn't.

It sounds like Indy didn't want that little segment of In-37. I had my doubts when someone earlier said it would be turned over to Indy.. They don't have the resources... just look at the condition of old Route 100 south of Washington street..

[NWI_Irish96]

Only unsigned state highway I know of is 431, the state still owns keystone from 465 to 96th and is still on the books as 431.

There are lots of funny little segments of stuff the state is forced to maintain. The state can't just dump the roads on the local entities, they have to take them willingly.. sometimes with other compensation for doing so.

The state still owns old IN 135 north of where it was diverted to US 31 at its terminus. It continues to where the four lane ends just north of 465.

In the case of 431, Carmel wanted it. Indy didn't.

It sounds like Indy didn't want that little segment of In-37. I had my doubts when someone earlier said it would be turned over to Indy.. They don't have the resources... just look at the condition of old Route 100 south of Washington street..

There's a few other unsigned INDOT roads. The former US 52 bridge over the Wabash River in Lafayette is still INDOT's even though the city took the rest of the road. There's a segment of former IN 63 in Vigo County that is still INDOT's but no longer signed.

I don't remember where I saw the full list.

[ilpt4u]

Isn't Old US 50 in Washington still InDOT's baby? I thought I read that at some point. Something like both the city and county refuse to let InDOT pawn it off onto them. I couod be making this all up as well   

[silverback1065]

Only unsigned state highway I know of is 431, the state still owns keystone from 465 to 96th and is still on the books as 431.

There are lots of funny little segments of stuff the state is forced to maintain. The state can't just dump the roads on the local entities, they have to take them willingly.. sometimes with other compensation for doing so.

The state still owns old IN 135 north of where it was diverted to US 31 at its terminus. It continues to where the four lane ends just north of 465.

In the case of 431, Carmel wanted it. Indy didn't.

It sounds like Indy didn't want that little segment of In-37. I had my doubts when someone earlier said it would be turned over to Indy.. They don't have the resources... just look at the condition of old Route 100 south of Washington street..

this also explains the 2 SR 931's.

[NWI_Irish96]

Isn't Old US 50 in Washington still InDOT's baby? I thought I read that at some point. Something like both the city and county refuse to let InDOT pawn it off onto them. I couod be making this all up as well   

That may be one too. Sounds familiar.

[jnewkirk77]

Isn't Old US 50 in Washington still InDOT's baby? I thought I read that at some point. Something like both the city and county refuse to let InDOT pawn it off onto them. I couod be making this all up as well   

In the condition the road was in (awful!!), they were right to push INDOT for more funding before taking it over. The reconstruction within Washington is ongoing now, and I believe the Daviess County commissioners are looking for more $$$ to do more work west of town when that part starts next year.

The work within the city is a full-depth reconstruction, with new underground utilities, curbs and gutters, and I believe I also saw a separate bike/ped lane new, better sidewalks. (Sorry, the cyclist in me saw something I wish for, but it was just better sidewalks, which were definitely needed!!)  Should be complete sometime next year.  It's been done in phases.

If the transfer from INDOT to city and county hasn't yet happened, it should when all the work is done. Of course, it's now only been about 35 years since the 50/150 bypass was completed ...

[Life in Paradise]

Isn't Old US 50 in Washington still InDOT's baby? I thought I read that at some point. Something like both the city and county refuse to let InDOT pawn it off onto them. I couod be making this all up as well   

In the condition the road was in (awful!!), they were right to push INDOT for more funding before taking it over. The reconstruction within Washington is ongoing now, and I believe the Daviess County commissioners are looking for more $$$ to do more work west of town when that part starts next year.

The work within the city is a full-depth reconstruction, with new underground utilities, curbs and gutters, and I believe I also saw a separate bike/ped lane.  Should be complete sometime next year.  It's been done in phases.

If the transfer from INDOT to city and county hasn't yet happened, it should when all the work is done. Of course, it's now only been about 35 years since the 50/150 bypass was completed ...

Yep, I agree that the Washington transfer is a done deal as soon as the final bit of new work hardens.

[ITB]

BigRigSteve of BigRigTravels drove the I-69/I-465 interchange earlier today. He exited I-465 westbound to I-69 southbound, then took the Southport Road exit to return to I-69 northbound, from which he then exited at Epler Avenue to reach the Flying J truck stop on Thompson Road. The route he took is the official detour, as the westbound I-465 exit to Harding Street is closed for reconstruction.

The pertinent section of the video when he drives through the I-465 construction zone begins at the 2:45:00 mark:

[ilpt4u]

The "route tracker" shield displayed "US/Local Road" the entire time, on both 465 and the new 69

[jnewkirk77]

Meanwhile, in Evansville, the signage is updated south of the Lloyd Expressway, with I-69 northbound BGSs now showing "Indianapolis" and southbound showing "Evansville" at least at the Covert Avenue/SR 662 interchange.  I didn't have time to get pics but will do so soon.

[ITB]

Here's a selection of photos taken during the I-69/I-465 interchange opening ceremony on August 6, 2024.


I-69 Finish Line
Getting ready to cut the ribbon. The opening ceremony took place on the northbound lanes of I-69 just north of the Epler Avenue overpass on the south side of Indianapolis.


I-69 Finish Line
Cutting the ribbon were (from left to right): Tim Miller, VP and Sr Project Manager, HNTB; Mike Smith, Commissioner, INDOT; Mitch Daniels, former Indiana governor; Eric Holcomb, governor, Indiana; Mike Pence, former VP, U.S. and former Indiana governor; Sarah Rubin, Project Delivery Support Director / I-69 Finish Line Corridor Project Manager, former I-69 Section 6 Project Manager, INDOT


I-69 Finish Line
Closer look.


I-69 Finish Line
Aerial drone shot of the ceremony; looking north.
 

I-69 Finish Line
INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith, serving as master of ceremonies, was the first speaker. On the dais was Governor Eric Holcomb (left), Mike Pence (behind the lectern), and Mitch Daniels (far right).


I-69 Finish Line
Governor Holcomb speaking.


I-69 Finish Line
Mike Pence giving his prepared remarks.


I-69 Finish Line
Mitch Daniels giving his remarks.


I-69 Finish Line
About 100 to 150 people attended the ceremony.


I-69 Finish Line
Dynamic Message Sign over the southbound lanes of I-69, with the Epler Avenue overpass behind it.


I-69 Finish Line
End of Mitch Daniels speech.


I-69 Finish Line
Attendees mingle after the ceremony.


I-69 Finish Line
Governor Holcomb in the vehicle that served as the pace car for the 1974 Indianapolis 500, leading a small parade of cars as the event came to an end.

[IndyAgent]

It is pretty amazing the first post on this site was in 2011 and this project is finished. I have driven from 465 to 69 south and even though there still is a bit of construction it was a great way to get on this road.

[ITB]

Although the I-69/I-465 interchange is now open and I-69 is all but finished between Evansville and Indianapolis, there's still some construction occurring near the area where I-69 transitions away from State Road 37 on the south side of Indianapolis.

Photos were taken Sunday, September 8, 2024.


Looking north toward the area where I-69 northbound veers away left from State Road 37. There will be four lanes coming through here, underneath the BGS. It looks a little deceptive as the photo presents a somewhat compressed perspective, but note how the section of median barrier wall curves left from near the base of the sign post.


Slightly beyond the BGS pictured above layers of asphalt have been put down to form the future northbound lanes. Also shown is where northbound traffic currently returns to its permanent northbound pavement just south of the Epler Avenue overpass.


Northbound pavement, and signage about a quarter mile south of Epler overpass; looking north.


Turning around, the view looking south toward the backside of the BGS pictured above. As can be seen, there's still considerable work to do on the northbound lanes in this area. In total, it's roughly about 1/4 to a 1/2 mile. Not a long stretch, to be sure. Still it's probably several weeks to completion.


This pipe culvert construction is the reason why it's going to take several weeks. Forms and rebar are being used, so that means concrete pours. Seems the culvert design is a bit more complex than usual. It's probably going to take two or three weeks.


Large, heavy duty articulated hauler on site at the work zone.


Looking south toward the culvert work area. It's near where Edgewood Avenue used to intersect with SR 37.


Speaking of Edgewood Avenue, here it is, terminating near the work zone; looking east.


As the northbound lanes are worked on, northbound traffic has been shifted to southbound pavement; looking southwest.


Vicinity where State Road 37 used to be. Note the the temporary barrier sections just beyond the median barrier wall. That's where SR 37 came through.


Turning around north, here's the section of SR 37 south of the Epler intersection now almost completely dug up.


Moving further to the north for a closer look. In the background are the barriers at Epler Avenue. And further back, the towers of downtown Indianapolis.


Bucket of a large excavator on site; looking northwest.


Another shot of the articulated hauler. It's hard to capture by photo how big this beast truly is.


One more looking south. No matter how much construction technology progresses, it seems the sawhorse, in one fashion or another, always sticks around.

Looks like about six weeks or so before they'll complete this little section. Might be sooner.

[IndyAgent]

Thanks for still posting updates. Even though the I69 project is done the work on 465 is still going and its good to have news coming out about the construction

[Rick Powell]

I think it's unusual how northbound traffic crosses the proposed center barrier twice, in not too long of a distance. First crossing over into the southbound lanes so that the former IN 37 connection can be removed and repaved, and then crossing back into the northbound lanes in order to access the I-465 ramps.

[webny99]

I think it's unusual how northbound traffic crosses the proposed center barrier twice, in not too long of a distance. First crossing over into the southbound lanes so that the former IN 37 connection can be removed and repaved, and then crossing back into the northbound lanes in order to access the I-465 ramps.

Isn't that pretty common with construction projects? At least in NY, lanes shifting and sharing one side of the road while the other side gets reconstructed is basically SOP for most major projects, especially bridge replacements.

[Rick Powell]

Isn't that pretty common with construction projects? At least in NY, lanes shifting and sharing one side of the road while the other side gets reconstructed is basically SOP for most major projects, especially bridge replacements.

Yes, lane shifting during construction is common, but at this location, in a short distance, northbound vehicles are on the east side of the new permanent barrier, then they go thru a gap and are on the west side of the new barrier, then they go thru another gap and are on the east side of the barrier again, probably within a half a mile.

[Moose]

It is so nice to be able to bypass that blasted semi filled section of 37 there on Harding now.

It was like running a Gauntlet trying to get through there and onto 465.

I wonder if Kopetsky Drive is ready for all the traffic off of Edgewood headed to Epler to connect with the old 37 section though...

[IndyAgent]

Heading east on 465 the I69 exit is not signed well. You see the Exit 4 and then you have to pay attention to see the onramp to I69 south. The first time I drove this I almost drove past it. I would hope they can put up a temporary sign at least

[silverback1065]

Heading east on 465 the I69 exit is not signed well. You see the Exit 4 and then you have to pay attention to see the onramp to I69 south. The first time I drove this I almost drove past it. I would hope they can put up a temporary sign at least

I almost did the same thing. they need better temporary signage.

[webny99]

The signage on WB I-465 in Big Rig Steve's video looked fairly minimal as well.