Update on I-69 Extension in Indiana

[ITB]

Drove the entire length of the I-465 overlap. All I-69 signs are in place (covered of course) on intersecting roads besides Emerson Avenue and US 40. Very little to no reassurance shields on I-465 itself, besides around the I-69 interchange on the south side.

There was a NB reassurance shield just after Exit 40 NB, even without a future banner.

Does the I-69 interchange look like it's ready to open? Because other than some barrier moves, the I-69 mainline sure looks ready from the Trafficwise cams.

It's very close. Might open next week or the week after. Three weeks max.
 

2-3 weeks from now is when IU students move back in so there's no way it's planned to open any later than that

Just got back from a trip to the work zone. Although solid progress is evident, there's still a good amount of work to do, in particular on the long flyover ramp that will carry I-69N to I-465W. Seems unlikely the interchange will be ready to open next week. Two weeks from now appears more probable.

According to this news story the interchange will open tomorrow 6 August 2024.

Tomorrow!? Crazy! Yesterday there were still curing blankets on the sidewalls of the I-69N to I-465W flyover ramp. Moreover, the ramp's sidewalls northwest of the actual overpass had yet to be paved. Striping also was incomplete on the northbound lanes north and south of the Epler Avenue overpass. Last night I monitored the traffic cameras and work was proceeding through the night. It's possible the ceremony taking place today is just that, a ceremony, and not an official opening. But it wouldn't surprise me if they planned to open the interchange during the overnight hours.

[silverback1065]

Drove the entire length of the I-465 overlap. All I-69 signs are in place (covered of course) on intersecting roads besides Emerson Avenue and US 40. Very little to no reassurance shields on I-465 itself, besides around the I-69 interchange on the south side.

There was a NB reassurance shield just after Exit 40 NB, even without a future banner.

Does the I-69 interchange look like it's ready to open? Because other than some barrier moves, the I-69 mainline sure looks ready from the Trafficwise cams.

It's very close. Might open next week or the week after. Three weeks max.
 

2-3 weeks from now is when IU students move back in so there's no way it's planned to open any later than that

Just got back from a trip to the work zone. Although solid progress is evident, there's still a good amount of work to do, in particular on the long flyover ramp that will carry I-69N to I-465W. Seems unlikely the interchange will be ready to open next week. Two weeks from now appears more probable.

According to this news story the interchange will open tomorrow 6 August 2024.

Tomorrow!? Crazy! Yesterday there were still curing blankets on the sidewalls of the I-69N to I-465W flyover ramp. Moreover, the ramp's sidewalls northwest of the actual overpass had yet to be paved. Striping also was incomplete on the northbound lanes north and south of the Epler Avenue overpass. Last night I monitored the traffic cameras and work was proceeding through the night. It's possible the ceremony taking place today is just that, a ceremony, and not an official opening. But it wouldn't surprise me if they planned to open the interchange during the overnight hours.

maybe tomorrow at 11:59pm 

[ITB]

Here's a few pictures from yesterday's trip. I couldn't meander as I wanted as the site was active in several locations and security was zipping around, back and forth. Of course, they knew who I was and gave me a wave, but I also knew not to enter the work zone. Photos were taken Sunday, August 4, 2024.


Shield adjacent to the southbound lanes about a half mile south of the Epler Avenue overpass.


Looking north toward the southbound lanes about a half mile south of the Epler overpass (background, left). In this area, northbound traffic will be temporarily placed on the southbound pavement. It will transition back to the northbound lanes where the gap of the barrier wall is. Concrete barrier wall sections will be temporarily placed between the double yellow lines.


Slightly closer look.


Turning around, the view looking south.


Looking north from the Epler Avenue overpass. Last week's wet weather likely delayed completing the lane striping.


Different perspective. Note the curing blankets on the sidewalls of the long flyover.


Looking south from the Epler overpass.


Another look looking south toward the southbound lanes from about a half mile south of the Epler overpass.


One more, turning around, looking north. The dotted line stripes indicate the merge lane for the southbound entrance ramp from Epler.

 

[ITB]

Glancing at this photo, it quickly becomes evident that there's still more work to be done. Some sort of barrier needs to be installed to protect the post of the high mast light. Can't have someone ramming that, can we? And that cone in the right shoulder? That probably indicates a work hole, for whatever reason, I don't know. They'll have to take care of that, too. The piles of sheeting next the median barrier wall also need to be removed. Moreover, all the traffic lanes and shoulders need to be cleaned. Tasks to do and little time to do them. Oh, forgot about the finishing the striping. Where might that Grinder Hog be?

[I-55]

Good to se they fixed the exit number from 164 to 163

[Bobby5280]

That's a "neutered" shield that at least doesn't make me feel like throwing up in my mouth. I still like state name shields more, but that one at least does not look bad at all. The numerals are a comfortable size inside the shield. "White space" is very important in graphic design. Oklahoma has started making some neutered Interstate shields on new big green signs look kind of like that (but they appear to be using bolder Series E/M numerals). ODOT continues to goof up signs in other categories.

[KelleyCook]

Looking at traffic cams this morning, there are Orange Barrels all along new I-69 SB lanes, which you wouldn't need unless you were about to open it.



But I don't think they are even close for the flyover ramps to WB I-465. Especially since WB I-465 doesn't exist.

My guess is that the to/from EB I-465 half portion of the interchange as well as the Southport to I-465 I-69 SB lanes is what is going to open between the rush hours. Which likely also will mean I-69 will become an official entity on the loop.

Might be time to fire up JOSM.

[Interstate 69 Fan]

Opening Ceremony is now ongoing as of 9am local time

I wonder what that VMS says...

[seicer]

'Decades in the making': Indiana to unveil last stretch of I-69
While some celebrate the $4 billion project connecting Evansville to Indianapolis, others mourn.

The nation's newest interstate highway will open in Indianapolis on Tuesday — decades after Hoosiers first dreamed up a direct route from Evansville to Indianapolis.

The 142-mile Interstate 69 extension took 16 years and $4 billion to build out, as well as years of politicking. And it faced fierce opposition from an unlikely coalition of environmentalists, farmers, budget hawks and others.

[silverback1065]

quote from an indystar article: Southbound traffic will start to open Tuesday evening and northbound traffic later in the week, "probably toward Friday," Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Michael Smith said Tuesday.

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/transportation/2024/08/06/interstate-69-opens-evansville-indianapolis-indiana-michigan/74673226007/

[cjw2001]

The I-69 southbound ramps to and from I-465 eastbound and westbound are scheduled to open to traffic this evening (Aug. 6), followed by I-69 northbound ramps to and from I-465 eastbound and westbound on or after Friday, Aug. 9.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/INDOT/bulletins/3acdf9b

[cjw2001]

[ITB]

Opening Ceremony is now ongoing as of 9am local time

I wonder what that VMS says...

Pretty sure the sign said "Connecting the Crossroads," which was the opening event's designated name. By the way, this view is looking south toward the Epler Avenue overpass.

[Interstate 69 Fan]

A closer look at the sign, as well as some images from the event on Twitter (or X, whatever you call it)

[Thegeet]

A closer look at the sign, as well as some images from the event on Twitter (or X, whatever you call it)

Nice F1 Car.

In all seriousness, congratulations to Indiana on completing a milestone. Cheers for prosperous years to come!

[KelleyCook]

Nice F1 Car.

Surely you meant to say IndyCar.

[ITB]

Video of the speeches at the opening ceremony. Speakers were INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith, Governor Eric Holcomb, former Governor and VP Mike Pence, and former Governor Mitch Daniels.

[Interstate 69 Fan]

Come on now INDOT... what is it with all the wrong exit numbers? Haha

Edit: It's signed as Exit 4B? Is Exit 5 the wrong number now?
Edit 2: Added a better image from another BGS.

[tdindy88]

I saw that too. The BGSs that are rather permanent all show Exit 5. This is a temporarily orange colored sign so the number won't be with us for too long. Where this and the previously mentioned "Exit 164" stuff comes from is the original signage plans, which were wrong for the I-69 exit numbers (Southport was 162 when it is really 160, Epler was 163 when it should be 162 and I-465 was 164 when it should be 163) and originally had I-69 as Exit 4B and Harding St as Exit 4A. The people designing these temporary signs probably got the exit number from these original plans. Further in the construction they probably settled on a "final version" of the exit numbers, hence Exit 5 for I-69 and more correct exit numbers for the I-69 mainline.

[Moose]

Nice F1 Car.

Surely you meant to say IndyCar.

Not only an Indycar, but I recognize that Olds as an old Indy 500 pace car.

[Moose]

The I-69 southbound ramps to and from I-465 eastbound and westbound are scheduled to open to traffic this evening (Aug. 6), followed by I-69 northbound ramps to and from I-465 eastbound and westbound on or after Friday, Aug. 9.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/INDOT/bulletins/3acdf9b

I have my doubts about the Aug 9 date. There is still concrete to be poured for side walls.

None of it was open when I drove through today at 6pm

[Moose]

Also as I was driving through, 3 more white river bridge beams showed up.

[SSOWorld]

Opening Ceremony is now ongoing as of 9am local time

I wonder what that VMS says...

Pretty sure the sign said "Connecting the Crossroads," which was the opening event's designated name. By the way, this view is looking south toward the Epler Avenue overpass.

Here I thought it said "Nice".

[Henry]

Nice F1 Car.

Surely you meant to say IndyCar.

Not only an Indycar, but I recognize that Olds as an old Indy 500 pace car.

Sure, the white Delta 88 convertible seen there would have to have been used anywhere from 1971 to '75, based on the round headlights (it switched to the squares in '76, which carried over to the downsized '77 and later models). I remember thinking those were the best-looking B-body cars ever made!

[Thegeet]

Nice F1 Car.

Surely you meant to say IndyCar.

How did I forget?