Indiana Notes

[mukade]

Including Business routes, which are signed but not official state highways, it's about 11,250 miles. You can log and track your travels in Indiana and the rest of the US (and many other countries) at travelmapping.net

Are you tracking travels on decommissioned state roads? NWI had SR 73, SR 141, SR 208, SR 330, SR 520, SR 555. South Bend/Elkhart had quite a number (SR 219, 123, 223, US 112, etc.). Back in the day when I had the HX web site, I tried to travel those former state roads as well, but there were so many iterations of these routes that it gets difficult. But if you have time on your hands, there's another project.

[NWI_Irish96]

Including Business routes, which are signed but not official state highways, it's about 11,250 miles. You can log and track your travels in Indiana and the rest of the US (and many other countries) at travelmapping.net

Are you tracking travels on decommissioned state roads? NWI had SR 73, SR 141, SR 208, SR 330, SR 520, SR 555. South Bend/Elkhart had quite a number (SR 219, 123, 223, US 112, etc.). Back in the day when I had the HX web site, I tried to travel those former state roads as well, but there were so many iterations of these routes that it gets difficult. But if you have time on your hands, there's another project.

I've done the former routings of 73, 79, 123, 141, 202, 313, 319, and 562 after they were decommissioned and also got 112, 131, 219, 238, 311, 334, 403, 431, 435, 443, 526 while they still existed

[silverback1065]

Including Business routes, which are signed but not official state highways, it's about 11,250 miles. You can log and track your travels in Indiana and the rest of the US (and many other countries) at travelmapping.net

Are you tracking travels on decommissioned state roads? NWI had SR 73, SR 141, SR 208, SR 330, SR 520, SR 555. South Bend/Elkhart had quite a number (SR 219, 123, 223, US 112, etc.). Back in the day when I had the HX web site, I tried to travel those former state roads as well, but there were so many iterations of these routes that it gets difficult. But if you have time on your hands, there's another project.

I'm pretty sure 520 still exists

[NWI_Irish96]

Including Business routes, which are signed but not official state highways, it's about 11,250 miles. You can log and track your travels in Indiana and the rest of the US (and many other countries) at travelmapping.net

Are you tracking travels on decommissioned state roads? NWI had SR 73, SR 141, SR 208, SR 330, SR 520, SR 555. South Bend/Elkhart had quite a number (SR 219, 123, 223, US 112, etc.). Back in the day when I had the HX web site, I tried to travel those former state roads as well, but there were so many iterations of these routes that it gets difficult. But if you have time on your hands, there's another project.

I'm pretty sure 520 still exists

Yeah that was a typo. Supposed to be 526.

[nwi_navigator_1181]

The new US 12/20 split in Miller (Gary) is now open.

Located just east of Lake Street and the Miller South Shore Station, eastbound drivers on US (12/)20 are informed of the new split with an oversized "JCT US 12"  sign, with another one telling drivers to turn left (assisted with a left turn lane). Oddly, there's no traffic light; instead, drivers coming from US 12 have to stop while US 20 traffic has full right of way.

Other oddities:

As mentioned above, the approach signs read "JCT US 12"  instead of "EAST US 12,"  with a left turn arrow, which can be read as US 12 (re)starting at the new split, theoretically resulting in a gap. Also, there's no signage (yet) to let drivers know Melton Road at that point is now US 12 and US 20. Hopefully, INDOT also takes down the overhead gantry at the old split (where evidence of the split is now removed, the road becoming a straightaway) soon, because a lot of uninitiated drivers think the old US 12 split is still there.

Also, at the new split, US 12 east is given the control cities of Portage and Michigan City. Although US 20 also serves Michigan City, I can understand US 12 being given that since it serves downtown and the lakefront, while US 20 is in the outskirts. However, "Ogden Dunes"  or even "Steel Mills/Port of Indiana"  would be better than "Portage,"  since it's better to STAY on US 20 for Portage interests.

In any case, it's very nicely done, with the road snaking it's way into the current US 12 footprint by the bridges. With this project completed, more work is expected to be done in the area between, with sidewalks and landscaping to be in place next year.

[Great Lakes Roads]

We went on I-70 from SR 39 to I-465 on the way back from Evansville, and I saw some new signs pop up on the WB lanes. It looks like INDOT is putting up some "partial" APL signs for exit 66 (Quaker Boulevard), and it also looks like a set of full-blown APL signs will go up on the EB lanes for exit 68.

[SkyPesos]

We went on I-70 from SR 39 to I-465 on the way back from Evansville, and I saw some new signs pop up on the WB lanes. It looks like INDOT is putting up some "partial" APL signs for exit 66 (Quaker Boulevard), and it also looks like a set of full-blown APL signs will go up on the EB lanes for exit 68.

They're doing that at a lot of locations. Here's one I found at I-65 and IN 267 last month:

[silverback1065]

Clear Path 465/69 is finally set to begin next year! It will be split into 2 contracts: contract 1 is 465 widening ignoring the 69 interchange. contract 2 is widening 69 and fixing the interchange. contract 2 will begin when north split is done by the looks of the schedule.

https://clearpath465.com/#project-map

[mukade]

When the US 24 freeway was built from Fort Wayne to the Ohio line, the original HMA pavement around Webster Rd had to be completely replaced before the road was opened. I took pictures of this process, and was surprised that this could happen. I read a comment from an INDOT spokesman saying something to the effect that it was just one of those things that happens.

In the November INDOT letting, it seems like this same stretch (built and opened in 2012) has to have the pavement replaced once again.

Any theories on why this could happen?

• Location: ON US 24 FROM 2.61 MILES E OF I-469 TO 4.80 MILES E OF I-469
• Engineer's Estimate: $12,030,221.05
• County: ALLEN
• Apparent winning bid:  $9,883,725.71 by PRIMCO LLC

Google Maps satellite view:

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.1114237,-84.9297313,46m/data=!3m1!1e3[/list]

[silverback1065]

When the US 24 freeway was built from Fort Wayne to the Ohio line, the original HMA pavement around Webster Rd had to be completely replaced before the road was opened. I took pictures of this process, and was surprised that this could happen. I read a comment from an INDOT spokesman saying something to the effect that it was just one of those things that happens.

In the November INDOT letting, it seems like this same stretch (built and opened in 2012) has to have the pavement replaced once again.

Any theories on why this could happen?

• Location: ON US 24 FROM 2.61 MILES E OF I-469 TO 4.80 MILES E OF I-469
• Engineer's Estimate: $12,030,221.05
• County: ALLEN
• Apparent winning bid:  $9,883,725.71 by PRIMCO LLC

Google Maps satellite view:

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.1114237,-84.9297313,46m/data=!3m1!1e3[/list]

My only guess is poor soils. This entire part of the state used to be a giant swamp, so the ground is likely very soft and makes the pavement fall apart due to differential settlement.

[mukade]

I agree that is the obvious answer, but I also would have assumed that additional soil stabilization steps would have happened before the reconstruction in 2012. Making a mistake once is bad enough. I know the Kokomo and northern Indiana parts of the US 31 freeway had sections with muck pockets or peat marshes to contend with. AFAIK sufficient soil testing was done before construction began to avoid catastrophes.

[mukade]

The other interesting item in the apparent bidding results from the 11/17 letting is the following:

Description: ADDED TRAVEL LANES, INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS, AND BRIDGE
Location: Location: ON I-65 FROM 1.33 MILES N OF SR 25 TO 0.8 MILE N OF SR 43
County: TIPPECANOE
Engineer's Estimate: None Below

Lowest bid: $102,031,682.38 for "HMA SECTION"

First, I thought this section was already under construction, but I guess it is not. Second, unless the bids are at least close to the estimate, they are all rejected. The state can either go through the process again with a special letting or they could choose to not go forward. That is not normally the case, but if all the bids are way over the INDOT estimate, it could happen. When the final results are published, we'll know.

Anyway, over $100M for about 2.5 miles of widening plus bridge work and intersection improvement seems like a lot.

[mukade]

Update based on the official bid results that were published today for this I-65 widening project in Lafayette:

"* NO BIDS BELOW THE ENGINEER'S ESTIMATE — REJECT ALL BIDS; MAY BE READVERTISED FOR A FUTURE LETTING."

[CtrlAltDel]

Update based on the official bid results that were published today for this I-65 widening project in Lafayette:

"* NO BIDS BELOW THE ENGINEER'S ESTIMATE — REJECT ALL BIDS; MAY BE READVERTISED FOR A FUTURE LETTING."

What was the engineer's estimate for this letting?

[mukade]

All it says is "none Below". Official results are here - see page 18.

[CtrlAltDel]

All it says is "none Below". Official results are here - see page 18.

Weird.

[Revive 755]

What was the engineer's estimate for this letting?

If INDOT runs lettings similar to Illinois, the engineer's estimate is probably confidential and wouldn't be released outside of INDOT and any consulting firms that worked on the project.  There may be a less precise estimate available elsewhere from INDOT and/or the local metropolitan planning agency.

[mukade]

The 2022-2026 Draft STIP was released this past week. From what I can tell with a quick review of the document, these are the Interstate widenings planned in the next four years.

• I-64 Added Travel Lanes From US 150 to I-64 and Spring Street interchange
• I-65 Added Travel Lanes 2.78 miles S of SR 160 to SR 56 (is also in the 2020-2024 STIP)
• I-65 Added Travel Lanes South of the SR56 (Scottsburg) interchange to 1.5 miles N of SR 56 (just south of Moonglo)
• I-70 Added Travel Lanes From 0.76 mile W of SR 39 to SR 267
• I-465 Added Travel Lanes from 1.33 mi S of I-865 (86th Street) to US 421 (is also in the 2020-2024 STIP)

The I-465 and widening will make this section eight lanes. Presumably, it will be the same for I-64 which is mainly already six lanes.

This list does not include the widenings related to the two I-465/I-69 interchanges and the current added travel lane construction underway on I-65 and I-70.

[SkyPesos]

• I-465 Added Travel Lanes from 1.33 mi S of I-865 (86th Street) to US 421 (is also in the 2020-2024 STIP)

Ok cool, now can INDOT make the I-865 exit from I-465 WB 2 continuous lanes, instead of dropping down to a single lane during the split, and gaining it back later on?

[silverback1065]

• I-465 Added Travel Lanes from 1.33 mi S of I-865 (86th Street) to US 421 (is also in the 2020-2024 STIP)

Ok cool, now can INDOT make the I-865 exit from I-465 WB 2 continuous lanes, instead of dropping down to a single lane during the split, and gaining it back later on?

They released a concept drawing a few months ago. 465 will be 4 lanes and i think the 865 ramps will be 2 and on the right as well. [/list]

[mukade]

SR 37 in Fishers and Noblesville is in the process of getting upgraded. One interchange at 126th St is already open and two other interchanges are under construction. Early next year, construction on a fourth interchange at 141st St will be started.

The SR 37 and 146th St interchange that is under construction will be a SPUI, and the other three will be dog bone roundabout interchanges.

[Great Lakes Roads]

The interchange on I-65 at 109th Avenue in Crown Point has been reopened to traffic today!

[nwi_navigator_1181]

The interchange on I-65 at 109th Avenue in Crown Point has been reopened to traffic today!

Converted from two signalized intersections to a dogbone interchange, this is part of a slew of improvements done to 109th Avenue between Broadway and Randolph Street.

Another roundabout at Iowa Street.
A dedicated left turn lane for traffic going from eastbound 109th Avenue to Colorado Street.
Another dedicated left turn lane at Grand Boulevard, along with reduced sloping, which results in improved sight lines for traffic heading into that particular intersection.

Just in time for Christmas. That will take a lot of pressure off of US 30 (for most drivers, that was the preferred detour for 109th Avenue between Randolph and Broadway).

[SkyPesos]

Found a billboard on I-65 SB just south of exit 168 that says "Buc-ee's 552 miles"  on my way home today. It caught me off guard, so unfortunately, no photo of it.I have no idea what that is, but it's interesting seeing a billboard of the nearest location being hundreds of miles away.

[ibthebigd]

It's the Cabela's or Bass Pro Shop of Convenience stores.

They are building locations in Richmond Ky off I-75 and I think near Bowling Green on I-65

I would love to see a location on I-65 maybe Greenwood or that dead exit north of Indianapolis

SM-G950U