Update on I-69 Extension in Indiana

[seicer]

It reminds me of the individual who captured Interstate 26's construction in North Carolina and Tennessee. That was a large scale corridor completion project - although it had far fewer miles, it had a lot of complexities because of the terrain.

[Rick Powell]

It isn't on the magnitude of this project per se, but some of the I-69 construction in Texas has been quite extensive and gone seemingly unnoticed - something to keep watching over the next few years.

What, they've got about 175 miles designated and about 800 miles to go, from what I've read. I-69 Evansville to Indy was sprung by a one-time cash infusion from the Indiana Toll Road concession sale. Not sure what Texas has to offer up to provide the same kind of kick. Still, TxDOT is making steady progress, as long as they keep biting off manageable sections.

[GreenLanternCorps]

I'm curious how long it will take Google Maps to update the alignment

SM-G996U

Google Maps showing I-69 connecting to I-465 as of this morning, only showing Southbound ramps, however.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6842309,-86.1966176,2251m/data=!3m1!1e3!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu

Apple Maps has not been updated yet.

[Interstate 69 Fan]

I'm curious how long it will take Google Maps to update the alignment

SM-G996U

Google Maps showing I-69 connecting to I-465 as of this morning, only showing Southbound ramps, however.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6842309,-86.1966176,2251m/data=!3m1!1e3!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu

Apple Maps has not been updated yet.

It's because that's what's open. NB isn't open yet.

[cjw2001]

I'm curious how long it will take Google Maps to update the alignment

SM-G996U

Google Maps showing I-69 connecting to I-465 as of this morning, only showing Southbound ramps, however.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6842309,-86.1966176,2251m/data=!3m1!1e3!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu

Apple Maps has not been updated yet.

It's because that's what's open. NB isn't open yet.

Now that Northbound has opened I've submitted the requests to Google to update the appropriate segments to completed status (from future status).  Also submitted the closure for the old SR 37 segment.  No guarantees as to how long it will take them to pay attention and do the update, but for southbound it took a little over a day.

[Moose]

"The new I-69/I-465 system interchange and the ramps at Epler Avenue are NOW OPEN to traffic in all directions! "

https://twitter.com/I69FinishLine/status/1822231074006593836

[mgk920]

I can just sense that eventually, the locals will gravitate towards Epler Ave to the east and Harding st to the south as the major streets for getting around town, rendering the 'old' IN 37 grade that was bypassed by I-69 completely obsolete.

Mike

[ITB]

Here's some pictures from last week. As they pertain mainly to the I-465 I've put off posting them due to the opening of the I-69 interchange. Photos were taken Sunday, August 4, 2024.


On the southwest side of Indianapolis, looking east from the Mann Road overpass. In this area, the future westbound lanes of I-465 are about ready for the asphalt base. That wetness on the eastbound lanes is probably a drainage issue that will have to be addressed.


Zoomed in view, with the long flyover taking I-69N to I-465W in the background.


The Mann Road overpass and partial interchange; looking south.


Different perspective of the future westbound lanes, again looking east from Mann.


Bridge deck finisher in place on the future westbound I-465 bridge over Harmon Ditch. The deck pour took place the next night.


Long range view from the Mann Road overpass.


Signage near the end of the westbound exit ramp from I-465 to Mann Road.

[/url]
Another shot looking east from Mann.


Another zoomed in view.


One more; looking southeast from the I-465 exit ramp to Mann.

The I-465 part of the project is expected to wrap up by the end of the year. Looks like they're on schedule.

[kernals12]

It's really nice that they finished I-69 

[Life in Paradise]

It's really nice that they finished I-69 

I'm so glad for the completion from Evansville to Indianapolis, but there is still a mile or so to the Ohio River that remains in Indiana.  Yes, I know that the Ohio actually is all in Kentucky there, but the interchange and a short portion is still in the state.  Once that bridge is completed (which will be the last part to the by pass in Henderson, which is currently being constructed), I-69 will likely be signed and running into Northwestern Tennessee with the interchange at Dyersburg at I-155.

[ITB]

It's really nice that they finished I-69 

I'm so glad for the completion from Evansville to Indianapolis, but there is still a mile or so to the Ohio River that remains in Indiana.  Yes, I know that the Ohio actually is all in Kentucky there, but the interchange and a short portion is still in the state.  Once that bridge is completed (which will be the last part to the by pass in Henderson, which is currently being constructed), I-69 will likely be signed and running into Northwestern Tennessee with the interchange at Dyersburg at I-155.

Right now the recently completed bypass of Union City in Tennessee is signed Tennessee SR 690. It will stay that way until the new interchange at Fulton completes, tying I-69 in Kentucky to TN 690. Only after the interchange opens will TN 690 become I-69. That interchange project, however, is not expected to start until 2028. If it does get underway as scheduled, it may complete near the same time as the new Ohio River bridge, thus linking I-69 in Indiana to I-69 in Tennessee. South of Union City, however, the Troy bypass remains unfunded and is not currently included in TDOT's 10 year plan. In all likelihood, after the Fulton interchange completes, TDOT will move forward with the Troy bypass.

[Rick Powell]

South of Union City, however, the Troy bypass remains unfunded and is not currently included in TDOT's 10 year plan. In all likelihood, after the Fulton interchange completes, TDOT will move forward with the Troy bypass.

Dwvid Kustoff, congressman from West TN just got $10M of federal funding for the Troy bypass, so I'd expect some progress during the same time frame as the ORX river crossing project and the South Fulton interchange. Early 2030's isn't out of the question for a continuous I-69 from Port Huron MI to Dyersburg TN.

[tdindy88]

This is more for the I-69 in Tennessee page, but I'd honestly sign all of I-155 to I-69 when the rest is connected north of Dyersburg. I understand it will take some time for them to do anything south of Dyersburg and in the meantime I'd like to see I-69 connect to I-55, just seems more naturally than "ending" at some interchange in Dyersburg. Just a thought though, we need to get the Ohio River Bridge, Fulton area and Troy bypasses done first.

[silverback1065]

ITB you have plenty of more picture opportunities for 465, I drove it yesterday and it's not even close to being done!  69 itself is almost completely done though. INDOT said it should be done by the end of the year in press releases, but imo it's gonna be close!

[Rick Powell]

This is more for the I-69 in Tennessee page, but I'd honestly sign all of I-155 to I-69 when the rest is connected north of Dyersburg. I understand it will take some time for them to do anything south of Dyersburg and in the meantime I'd like to see I-69 connect to I-55, just seems more naturally than "ending" at some interchange in Dyersburg. Just a thought though, we need to get the Ohio River Bridge, Fulton area and Troy bypasses done first.

It's not likely that I-155 would be re-signed or multiplexed with I-69. No part of I-69 was ever planned for Missouri (so no "Future 69 Corridor"), and if it terminated in Hayti, how would that be different than terminating in Dyersburg? They'd both have an Interstate connection. Throwing in the towel on the remaining I-69 corridor altogether (except Texas and possibly Louisiana to I-49) and multiplexing on I-155, I-55, I-40, I-30 and I-49 (and maybe I-20 and US 59, or building the I-369 corridor between Texarkana and Tenaha as I-69)is a completely different issue, and not sure if TN, AR and/or MS would battle over it.

[Interstate 69 Fan]

ITB you have plenty of more picture opportunities for 465, I drove it yesterday and it's not even close to being done!  69 itself is almost completely done though. INDOT said it should be done by the end of the year in press releases, but imo it's gonna be close!

Exactly what I've been thinking. Would not surprise me if we see a bit of spillage over into 2025, but I think "substantial completion" is quite plausible by the end of 2024, and that I think is what INDOT is trying to get at here.

[ITB]

Drove up to Indy again to take some pictures of the opened interchange. Actually, I made two trips—yesterday and the day before. On Friday, I arrived on site a little too late. The sun was sinking like a stone in the sky. So I returned on Saturday and am glad I did, as the interchange was fully open.

To the pictures. Photos were taken Saturday, August 10, 2024, and the day before, Friday. Most of the pictures posted will be from Saturday. Only those taken on Friday will be labeled as such.


Looking north from the Epler Avenue overpass toward the just opened I-69/I-465 interchange. To be specific, the southbound lanes opened early Wednesday morning, about 4:00 am, while the northbound lanes were opened during the overnight hours, Friday night.


View looking south from Epler, showing the point where the northbound lanes begin to separate for the ramps to either westbound or eastbound I-465.


Zoomed in view looking north toward the bridge where the I-69N to I-465W ramp crosses over the the ramp from I-465W to I-69S.


Again looking north, a zoomed in look toward the approach of the long I-69N to I-465W flyover ramp.


Long range perspective from Epler.


Signage near the end of the exit ramp from I-69 to Epler Avenue; looking north.


Another look north from the Epler overpass.


Closer look from Epler of the northbound lanes.


Long range view looking south, with Epler Avenue in the foreward


Overhead signage over the northbound lanes just south of the Epler Avenue overpass; looking slightly northwest. The exit ramp from I-69 northbound to Epler is in the foreground.


Looking east toward Epler Avenue. On the right is the intersection point of the northbound exit ramp from I-69.


August 9, 2024
From Friday, an evening view as the sun is about to drop below the horizon. Note how the northbound lanes have yet to be completely striped.

[I-55]

Now that more manpower is available due to the completion of the system interchange, westbound traffic has been moved to the old eastbound pavement between East St and Bluff Rd. The lanes previously used by westbound traffic are already being dug up.

https://511in.org/@-86.20588,39.68932,15?show=incidents,normalCameras,stationsAlert,weatherWarningsAreaEvents,plowCameras,flooding#camera/3012/2922544058

[ITB]

Another batch. Again, the photos were taken Saturday, August 10, 2024, and the day before, Friday. Most of the pictures posted will be from Saturday. Only those taken on Friday will be labeled as such.


Subcontractor Antigo Construction at work breaking up the pavement of the short segment of decommissioned SR 37 south of Epler Avenue. The machine is a self-propelled 8600 Badger Breaker®, manufactured by Badger Highway Equipment, Inc.


Mid-range perspective looking southwest from near the Epler overpass.


Traffic on the northbound lanes just south of Epler. The other side of the sign is pictured in the previous photo set.


August 9, 2024
Looking north from the Epler overpass the day before the northbound lanes were opened.


Another look at the 8600 Badger Breaker® breaking up the pavement of SR 37. The machine has a 12,000 pound, eight-foot wide guillotine-style hammer that is lifted and dropped, smashing the pavement. After each drop, the machine moves, on its own, about a foot or so backwards, in this case to the left.


Different perspective of the signage at the end of the exit ramp from northbound I-69 to Epler Avenue.


Mid-range view looking north from the Epler overpass, with the framework of the Dynamic Message Sign in the foreground.


August 9, 2024
Looking east toward Epler Avenue from near the overpass. To ensure the pending opening of the northbound lanes went smoothly, law enforcement was positioned around the work zone, and, here, on the northbound exit ramp to Epler.


August 9, 2024
Long range view looking slightly southeast from Epler. There was a steady stream of traffic using the southbound entrance ramp from Epler. These drivers had, instead of taking the I-69 exit ramps, exited I-465 to Harding Street, then discovered SR 37 was closed south of Epler Avenue. So they had a minor detour to get on southbound I-69, but overall, it was going smoothly.


Looking again north from the Epler overpass.


Zoomed in view of the southbound exit ramps from I-465.


Again, looking south from Epler.


Looking northwest toward the Epler overpass.


One more, another look north.


And one more of the 8600 Badger Breaker® machine. It's on and running. And when that hammer blade hits pavement, it's quite a bang.

Edit: Swapped out a photo for a similar one.

[Life in Paradise]

Did not get photos at the I-64/I-69 interchange north of Evansville, but I was through there today, and  the I-69 North signs are being changed to include Indianapolis.  I also noticed one changed on the Lloyd Expressway at I-69 in Evansville.

[cjw2001]

The new northbound segments are now showing up on Google Maps.  Generally takes another couple weeks before the traffic data databases will catch up.

[IndyAgent]

I am looking forward to all the construction on 465 to be finished so we can see the final aspect of this project. After 50 years of hearing about I69 being built and its finished to 465.

[mgk920]

And one more of the 8600 Badger Breaker® machine. It's on and running. And when that hammer blade hits pavement, it's quite a bang.

Antigo, (pron. 'AN-ti(as in 'tick')-go') a smaller city in north-central Wisconsin.  I've seen one of these things working on WisDOT highway projects here, too.

Mike

[Interstate 69 Fan]

I'll be driving the corridor between I-465 and SR 39 - both directions - tomorrow morning, so I will report what I find.

[Moose]

https://fb.watch/tWzEOwPVG0/

Quick drive through of the new section