Indiana Notes

[nwi_navigator_1181]

NW Indiana will always be eternally under construction 

I did not enjoy that section between the MI state line and US-421 last week going through.

This is the first year since I've lived here that there wasn't at least some construction on I-80/94 between Calumet and I-65.

With FlexRoad scheduled to begin at some point next year, the streak likely ends at one.

Speaking of I-80/94, bridge demolition has stared on the southbound side of Ripley Street over I-80/94. This week, more involved demolition will begin, which will result in extensive nightly lane closures. From 6pm to 5am nightly for the next 10 nights, demolition work will result in through traffic being reduced to only one lane in each direction; on top of that, the single lane will facilitate the temporary ramps to get around the demolition zone, with no access to Ripley Street in either direction. To mitigate delays, the following closures will take place (on top of the aforementioned):

• Exit 21 from the Indiana Toll Road will be closed in both directions
• Ripley Street will be closed between US 20 and Central Avenue

It is strongly advised to use the Toll Road or even US 30 to get to Indiana 49 (for eastbound interests) or I-65 (for westbound interests). US 20 is too close to I-94 and the Toll Road for recommendation, IMO.

Work on the southbound bridge is scheduled to be completed by year's end (which is quite ambitious), with work on the northbound side to begin next year.

UPDATE: per INDOT, bridge demolition above the mainline has been completed a week ahead of schedule, so no more nightly closures will be needed. As of this morning (August 23, 2025), all closures have been lifted. Toll Road access was restricted overnight for ramp resurfacing, but has since been completed.

[ITB]

In July, an INDOT contract was awarded under unusual circumstances. Two contractors — Beaty Construction Inc. and E & B Paving LLC — submitted identical low bid amounts for a project. To decide whom to award the contract to INDOT did a coin flip, which came up in favor of Beaty Construction.



   

[Revive 755]

This is the first year since I've lived here that there wasn't at least some construction on I-80/94 between Calumet and I-65.

With FlexRoad scheduled to begin at some point next year, the streak likely ends at one.

And INDOT is probably holding one of the two currently open Safezones photo enforcement slots for that project.

[ilpt4u]

In July, an INDOT contract was awarded under unusual circumstances. Two contractors — Beaty Construction Inc. and E & B Paving LLC — submitted identical low bid amounts for a project. To decide whom to award the contract to INDOT did a coin flip, which came up in favor of Beaty Construction.

Were representatives of the contractors present at the toss, and if so, which one got to make the "Heads/Tails" call?

Legitimately curious what the process of how the coin toss plays out. Does INDOT arbitrarily assign one bidder "Heads" and the other "Tails"?

[ITB]

Were representatives of the contractors present at the toss, and if so, which one got to make the "Heads/Tails" call?

Legitimately curious what the process of how the coin toss plays out. Does INDOT arbitrarily assign one bidder "Heads" and the other "Tails"?

While I don't know how it went down, I imagine INDOT's first step was to consult a contract lawyer.  In all likelihood, somewhere, sometime this situation had happened before, and it was in the books. Maybe the solution then was a coin toss. Maybe not.

In any event, regarding the present situation, the goal was to resolve the situation fairly. The two contractors involved were, undoubtedly, advised of the situation and of the proposed solution—the coin toss. Evidently, both agreed to proceed, as the coin flip did indeed happen.

Were contractor representatives present during the toss? Maybe. But more likely it took place during a video call. Doesn't really matter who called heads or tails. For all involved, it was apparently a fair resolution to an unusual situation. The only other option was to rebid the contract. If that had transpired, it's possible the two contractors would have lost out to another bidder.

[Great Lakes Roads]

INDOT recently had a public meeting on "US 40 for All" project in Plainfield. The project limits go for 3.7 miles, from Carr Road to Raceway Road.

The major intersections along this corridor have alternatives lined up:
Dan Jones Road- Median U-Turn or Roundabout
Quaker Boulevard (SR 267)- Median U-Turn or Displaced Left Turn
Shady Lane- Median U-Turn or Roundabout
Perry Road- Median U-Turn or Roundabout
Plainfield Commons- Median U-Turn or Roundabout
Ronald Reagan Parkway- Quadrant Roadway with Grade Separation (Overpass)

[seicer]

US 40 for All project website

[Interstate 69 Fan]

As someone who works right off of US 40 in Plainfield, this project is VERY needed. There is accidents all over the place on this stretch of US 40, especially the Plainfield Commons Drive light.

[mukade]

Visit Hamilton County has a web pages saying the county now has 268 total Roundabouts in the county. And of course, many more are planned or under construction.

Carmel	157
Noblesville	43
Westfield	40
Fishers	27

https://www.visithamiltoncounty.com/plan-your-visit/getting-here/roundabouts/

[seicer]

Thankfully, Marion County/Indianapolis has its funding issues sorted out by the state, which allocated funding based on lane miles that didn't take into account the roadway width. We should be seeing some long-needed projects underway, as roundabouts are needed in so many places. Related, a roundabout at Southport and Five Points is coming next year. This backs up for at least a mile in some directions during rush hour and is one of the worst-rated intersections for safety in that township. 

[Revive 755]

Appears INDOT is not saving a Safe Zone slot for the next Borman project.  I-70 in Hancock County will be getting one along with the Toll Road just west of I-69 (https://www.safezonesin.com/resources)

[Great Lakes Roads]

Appears INDOT is not saving a Safe Zone slot for the next Borman project.  I-70 in Hancock County will be getting one along with the Toll Road just west of I-69 (https://www.safezonesin.com/resources)

There will be one more open spot by the second half of September:
"Deployments will end on I-65 in Lake County upon the completion of construction, expected in mid-to-late September."

*Actual construction on the Borman won't start until 2026.

[ITB]

INDOT has opened two renovated truck-only rest stops on I-65 in Boone County. Together the rest stops comprise 150 truck parking spaces, as well as restroom and vending facilities. The $37 million project is part of INDOT's 10-year $600 million plan to upgrade the state's welcome centers and rest stops, and to expand truck parking.


©2025 Airbus, Maxar Technologies, Map data ©2025 Google
The renovated rest stops are located about two and three miles, respectively, north of the I-65/SR 47 interchange.

In other rest stop news, the newly constructed Clear Creek Welcome Center on I-70 in Vigo County is expected to open this year.

Here's a video of the construction from June 2024:

[seicer]

While they are open for truckers, I have stopped at the rest area for a quick splash-and-dash and have seen other motorists do the same. The toilets are essentially single-stall units connected to a sewer system. Much more efficient and easier to clean and maintain.

[ITB]

While they are open for truckers, I have stopped at the rest area for a quick splash-and-dash and have seen other motorists do the same. The toilets are essentially single-stall units connected to a sewer system. Much more efficient and easier to clean and maintain.

While it's possible, I guess, it's unlikely the restroom facilities of these rest stops are hooked up to a sewer system. These stops are in a rural area of Boone County, nowhere near a small town. All those farmhouses in the vicinity are on septic systems. To run a sewer line up to the new stops from Lebanon or over from Thorntown would cost big bucks.

More likely, a modern industrial-sized septic system has been installed. It's more manageable to have 400 toilet flushes a day at truck-only facility versus 2,000 a day at a welcome center. The new welcome centers are being connected to sanitary sewers, which is one reason for their pricey price tags.

[seicer]

I might be confusing that with the new welcome centers that are being connected to water/sewer lines (source). I can't tell where the septic systems are located at.

What's interesting is that at the new welcome center at Kankakee along I-65 features air purifiers that use bipolar ionization to purify the indoor air.