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Update on I-69 Extension in Indiana

Started by mukade, June 25, 2011, 08:55:31 AM

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amroad17

#4350
I believe INDOT did the smart and easy thing by adding 200 to the existing exits north of Indianapolis.  For example, why change EXIT 111 to EXIT 295?  Just easier to make it EXIT 311, retaining a semblance of the prior exit number.  Yes, they could have placed OLD EXIT XX signs along with the "new" exit numbers, however, INDOT saved some money by doing the add 200 procedure and letting the public know they were going to do this.  Besides, the only instances where an OLD EXIT XX sign should be erected is when a DOT changes from sequential exit numbers to mile-based exit numbers.

Look at I-17 in Arizona.  Is I-17 340 miles long, based on the exit number for I-40 in Flagstaff, AZ?  No, it is just shy of 146 miles long.  I-17's mile markers begin at 194 at I-10 in Phoenix.  When first commissioned, I-17 began at I-10 northwest of Phoenix as EXIT 200.  I-17 actually began as AZ 69, which itself had its southern terminus at US 60/US 89.  "Arizona had a milepost system in which a branching route that began at the "host" route would retain the existing milepost from that point.  In this case AZ 69 was considered a branch of US 89.  AZ 69 began at milepost 201.6, so AZ 69 counted up from 201.  I-17 inherited the milepost numbers from AZ 69 when I-17 was commissioned." (Wikipedia)

Would having the correct mileposts be wonderful?  Sure, it would.  It could be a psychological thing, especially on long trips.  However, it really does not matter if the mileposts are "off".  Most post interchange signs do not give the distance to the state line, mainly control points/cities are posted.  Besides, most all of us use some sort of internet mapping system to determine how far (and how much time) it is from Point A to Point B.
I don't need a GPS.  I AM the GPS! (for family and friends)


rickmastfan67

#4351
Quote from: amroad17 on May 18, 2022, 03:01:03 AM
Besides, the only instances where an OLD EXIT XX sign should be erected is when a DOT changes from sequential exit numbers to mile-based exit numbers.

What about routes being shortened or extended?  I-279 & I-376 here in Pittsburgh gained all new exit numbers back in 2009 due to I-376 being extended & also taking over part of I-279.
example

tdindy88

Quote from: cabiness42 on May 17, 2022, 11:32:52 AM
Re: I-69 exit numbering.

When the section of I-69 from Evansville to Bloomington first opened, it needed exit numbers. At the same time, I-69 also took over what was previously I-164. The problem is that, at that time, nobody knew when or where the new I-69 bridge over the Ohio River was going to be built, and the final routing through northern Johnson and southern Marion counties was still unsettled. The decision was made to just leave the I-164 exit numbers as they were, starting with Exit 0 at the US 41 interchange, and proceed upward from there. That necessitated a renumbering of the existing section of I-69 north from Indy to avoid duplicate mile markers and exit numbers.

Once the new bridge is built, I-69 gets a new zero mile marker and the rest of the mileage markers immediately become inaccurate. Knowing that, INDOT decided to just add 200 to the existing numbers rather than try to guess what the right numbers would eventually be.


Judging by the maps from the Ohio River Crossing bridge I don't think there should be any problem with the exit numbers. The new I-69 corridor will meet the current highway around mile marker 1, maybe 1 1/2. Heading south it appears to be about one mile south to the state line (or the Ohio River bridge itself) so the mile markers should be almost just right.

silverback1065

#4353
INDOT did put the old exit signs up. no money was saved.  :-D i remember seeing them.

splashflash

Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on May 16, 2022, 05:52:52 PM
A major traffic shift is scheduled for next week to put southbound SR 37 onto the new elevated and bridges at Wicker Road and County Line Road, which means that SB traffic will no longer have to stop for signals around that area. Wicker Road and Bluff Road traffic will be using the new access road behind Glenns Valley Church to enter and exit SR 37 southbound. New interstate-style ramps will connect with a large roundabout at County Line Road west of SR 37. County Line Road east of SR 37 will close for two months for interchange construction.



http://www.wbiw.com/2022/05/25/the-new-portion-of-i-69-is-to-open-this-week-and-two-stoplights-are-to-be-removed/



silverback1065

it's insane how fast this stretch of 69 is coming. they're really working fast!

abqtraveler

Quote from: silverback1065 on May 25, 2022, 11:31:24 AM
it's insane how fast this stretch of 69 is coming. they're really working fast!
They said they're going to have the whole thing done, including the south leg of I-465 by the end of 2024. At the rate at which they're going they might be able to get it finished sooner if the weather allows them to.
2-d Interstates traveled:  4, 5, 8, 10, 15, 20, 24, 25, 27, 29, 35, 39, 40, 41, 43, 45, 49, 55, 57, 64, 65, 66, 69, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 76(E), 77, 78, 81, 83, 84(W), 85, 87(N), 89, 90, 91, 93, 94, 95

2-d Interstates Clinched:  12, 22, 30, 37, 44, 59, 80, 84(E), 86(E), 238, H1, H2, H3, H201

silverback1065

Quote from: abqtraveler on May 25, 2022, 11:45:51 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on May 25, 2022, 11:31:24 AM
it's insane how fast this stretch of 69 is coming. they're really working fast!
They said they're going to have the whole thing done, including the south leg of I-465 by the end of 2024. At the rate at which they're going they might be able to get it finished sooner if the weather allows them to.

Lightning fast!  :clap:

Brooks

Meanwhile Tennessee has as many miles of completed I-69 as it did 10 years ago.

silverback1065

Quote from: Brooks on May 25, 2022, 04:15:34 PM
Meanwhile Tennessee has as many miles of completed I-69 as it did 10 years ago.

:hmmm: why is that? just not a priority for them?

SkyPesos

Quote from: silverback1065 on May 25, 2022, 04:19:40 PM
Quote from: Brooks on May 25, 2022, 04:15:34 PM
Meanwhile Tennessee has as many miles of completed I-69 as it did 10 years ago.

:hmmm: why is that? just not a priority for them?
Probably because I-55/I-155 works as a "temporary" I-69 TN really well.

codyg1985

Quote from: silverback1065 on May 25, 2022, 04:19:40 PM
Quote from: Brooks on May 25, 2022, 04:15:34 PM
Meanwhile Tennessee has as many miles of completed I-69 as it did 10 years ago.

:hmmm: why is that? just not a priority for them?

It really isn't, and they don't have as much money to work with as Indiana and Texas have to finish its portion of I-69. Nashville is where a lot of the money is going right now.
Cody Goodman
Huntsville, AL, United States

Brooks

Quote from: SkyPesos on May 25, 2022, 04:28:04 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on May 25, 2022, 04:19:40 PM
Quote from: Brooks on May 25, 2022, 04:15:34 PM
Meanwhile Tennessee has as many miles of completed I-69 as it did 10 years ago.

:hmmm: why is that? just not a priority for them?
Probably because I-55/I-155 works as a "temporary" I-69 TN really well.
It really doesn't.

Brooks

Quote from: codyg1985 on May 25, 2022, 05:03:44 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on May 25, 2022, 04:19:40 PM
Quote from: Brooks on May 25, 2022, 04:15:34 PM
Meanwhile Tennessee has as many miles of completed I-69 as it did 10 years ago.

:hmmm: why is that? just not a priority for them?

It really isn't, and they don't have as much money to work with as Indiana and Texas have to finish its portion of I-69. Nashville is where a lot of the money is going right now.
This is pretty accurate. I'd say about 60% of the large projects currently underway in TN are in the Nashville metro. If you go to TDOT's website, the Region 3 (Middle TN) page has almost double the amount of projects as the other regions.

wanderer2575

Quote from: rickmastfan67 on May 18, 2022, 10:13:42 AM
Quote from: amroad17 on May 18, 2022, 03:01:03 AM
Besides, the only instances where an OLD EXIT XX sign should be erected is when a DOT changes from sequential exit numbers to mile-based exit numbers.

What about routes being shortened or extended?  I-279 & I-376 here in Pittsburgh gained all new exit numbers back in 2009 due to I-376 being extended & also taking over part of I-279.
example

At the risk of driving this thread off-topic, I-376 is its own unique animal and not the best example.  When the freeway's route designation was changed to I-376 (replacing a state route number; I forget which one), its posted cardinal orientation was also changed from north-south to east-west.

Ryctor2018

Quote from: Brooks on May 25, 2022, 05:14:27 PM
Quote from: codyg1985 on May 25, 2022, 05:03:44 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on May 25, 2022, 04:19:40 PM
Quote from: Brooks on May 25, 2022, 04:15:34 PM
Meanwhile Tennessee has as many miles of completed I-69 as it did 10 years ago.

:hmmm: why is that? just not a priority for them?

It really isn't, and they don't have as much money to work with as Indiana and Texas have to finish its portion of I-69. Nashville is where a lot of the money is going right now.
This is pretty accurate. I'd say about 60% of the large projects currently underway in TN are in the Nashville metro. If you go to TDOT's website, the Region 3 (Middle TN) page has almost double the amount of projects as the other regions.

The schedule for the Union City section of I-69 has it opening maybe next year.
2DI's traveled: 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 24, 30, 35, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 49, 55, 57, 59, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 85, 87, 88, 90, 93, 94, 95, 96

rickmastfan67

Quote from: wanderer2575 on May 25, 2022, 05:33:51 PM
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on May 18, 2022, 10:13:42 AM
Quote from: amroad17 on May 18, 2022, 03:01:03 AM
Besides, the only instances where an OLD EXIT XX sign should be erected is when a DOT changes from sequential exit numbers to mile-based exit numbers.

What about routes being shortened or extended?  I-279 & I-376 here in Pittsburgh gained all new exit numbers back in 2009 due to I-376 being extended & also taking over part of I-279.
example

At the risk of driving this thread off-topic, I-376 is its own unique animal and not the best example.  When the freeway's route designation was changed to I-376 (replacing a state route number; I forget which one), its posted cardinal orientation was also changed from north-south to east-west.

That may be the case, but when I-376 first took over the segment of I-279 (stage 1), while the cardinal directions changed, they still properly matched up on that segment (unlike with PA-60).  Still needed the 'old exit ##' stuff, but the direction was the same pretty much.

edwaleni

Anyway you look at it, INDOT is knocking I-69 north of Bloomington out of the park with their speed to build.

Hopefully we won't see any compromises in quality come up because of it.

tdindy88

Except for the portion between Martinsville and SR 144, the lanes have been restricted to one lane in each direction all year so far just so they can finish with lane stripping and rumble strip installation. It seems they are really taking their time finishing that up. Hopefully they'll be finished next month and can open it up to four lane traffic again.

abqtraveler

Quote from: tdindy88 on May 30, 2022, 12:49:16 AM
Except for the portion between Martinsville and SR 144, the lanes have been restricted to one lane in each direction all year so far just so they can finish with lane stripping and rumble strip installation. It seems they are really taking their time finishing that up. Hopefully they'll be finished next month and can open it up to four lane traffic again.
The long pole in the tent to completing I-69 will be the I-69/I-465 interchange (not sure if work has started on that yet) and reconstructing/widening the south leg of I-465 (which may be underway by now). Those two pieces will need to be completed before INDOT will declare I-69 to be "fully finished" from Martinsville to Indianapolis.
2-d Interstates traveled:  4, 5, 8, 10, 15, 20, 24, 25, 27, 29, 35, 39, 40, 41, 43, 45, 49, 55, 57, 64, 65, 66, 69, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 76(E), 77, 78, 81, 83, 84(W), 85, 87(N), 89, 90, 91, 93, 94, 95

2-d Interstates Clinched:  12, 22, 30, 37, 44, 59, 80, 84(E), 86(E), 238, H1, H2, H3, H201

GreenLanternCorps

#4370
Quote from: abqtraveler on May 30, 2022, 03:37:30 PM
Quote from: tdindy88 on May 30, 2022, 12:49:16 AM
Except for the portion between Martinsville and SR 144, the lanes have been restricted to one lane in each direction all year so far just so they can finish with lane stripping and rumble strip installation. It seems they are really taking their time finishing that up. Hopefully they'll be finished next month and can open it up to four lane traffic again.
The long pole in the tent to completing I-69 will be the I-69/I-465 interchange (not sure if work has started on that yet) and reconstructing/widening the south leg of I-465 (which may be underway by now). Those two pieces will need to be completed before INDOT will declare I-69 to be "fully finished" from Martinsville to Indianapolis.

I drove by that segment last November when I flew out of the Indy airport.  There was construction equipment present.  I'm guessing they are doing preliminary work on the interchange at this time.

ITB


On Sunday, I went for another look-see. In particular, I wanted to check out the construction at the I-69/I-465 work zone. I was hoping pile driving would have commenced there, but it was not to be. It appears work is continuing on utility relocation (storm sewers, etc.) and prepping the ground for the work to come. Pile driving could start sometime this summer, perhaps in July or August, or maybe later.

Let's go to the pictures. Photos were taken Sunday, May 29, 2022, unless otherwise noted.


In Morgan County, looking south toward the Myra Lane overpass, where steel beams were recently installed. In the deep background is the Teeters Road overpass, which also remains under construction.


The beams and cross supports of the Myra Lane overpass; looking west.


Long range view looking south from near the Myra Lane overpass.


Another perspective of the bridge that will carry Myra Lane; looking southwest. Until this overpass completes, the driveway off northbound SR 37 for First United Church and Ozark Fisheries will remain. And, until that sealed off, SR 37 won't, in all likelihood, be signed I-69 between Martinsville and State Road 144.


wanderer2575

^^  Nice photos, as always.  Thank you!

I am curious:  Where do you park and how much walking do you have to do, especially to get close-up photos from above such as #2 and #3?  Do you ever get chased out of construction areas?  With my luck, if I tried to get these photos there would be a cop there every time.

davewiecking

Quote from: abqtraveler on May 30, 2022, 03:37:30 PM
The long pole in the tent to completing I-69 will be the I-69/I-465 interchange (not sure if work has started on that yet) and reconstructing/widening the south leg of I-465 (which may be underway by now). Those two pieces will need to be completed before INDOT will declare I-69 to be "fully finished" from Martinsville to Indianapolis.
https://511in.org/camera/534/@-86.22874,39.66836,12?show=incidents,normalCameras,weatherWarningsAreaEvents,plowCameras,flooding#camera/38/177556 shows the portion of I-465 where the I-69 intersection will be located, although I doubt that camera location will survive the construction. Camera is located west of 37 and just outside the beltway. The culvert in the foreground is visible via Google Maps just west of "Wolfla Heating and Cooling"  (possibly no longer there) on (currently closed) Thompson Road, and the camera tower can also be seen.

ITB


Some more. Again, photos were taken Sunday, May 29, 2022.


Looking north from near mainline bridge over County Line toward the future southbound lanes of Interstate 69. According to the I-69 Finish Line project update (May 23, 2022), all SR 37 traffic was to begin shifting to this new pavement sometime after last Thursday, beginning with the southbound. But that didn't transpire, probably because of a recent spate of wet weather. The changeover will likely happen this week, or if not, then early next. In the background is the new southbound bridge over Pleasant Run Creek.


The view in the other direction; looking south.


The southbound shoulder of I-69 (left) and the southbound exit ramp to County Line Road, and the interchange's western traffic roundabout; looking slightly southwest.


Western roundabout of the I-69/County Line Road interchange in Marion County; looking west.


The southbound bridge over County Line Road, with its deeply tined deck. Not going to be a lot of slipping and sliding here during the winter months.


SR 37/County Line Road intersection on the border between Johnson and Marion counties; looking southeast.


The southbound exit ramp to County Line Road; looking south.


The southbound mainline bridges over Pleasant Run Creek and Wicker Road (background, left), from just north of the future I-69/County Line Road interchange; looking north.


Another perspective of the southbound exit ramp to County Line Road; looking southeast.


Future eastern roundabout of the I-69/County Line Road interchange; looking east.


Another look south from the bridge over County Line Road. As both the southbound and northbound lanes of SR 37 will be placed on this pavement, they'll be needing quite a number of barrier wall segments to separate traffic.


Mid-range shot of the new pavement at the County Line Road interchange; looking north.

More pictures to come.



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