Update on I-69 Extension in Indiana

[hobsini2]

It is possible and maybe even likely (it happens around here) that the wall could be built inside of the gantry stand and camera pole. I am thinking like how IDOT recently did the new wall on 294 at Balmoral Ave.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9728579,-87.8693853,3a,87.5y,39.34h,91.94t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sr4bA9ZNnx2nCMGMt-Nv8lA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3Dr4bA9ZNnx2nCMGMt-Nv8lA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.share%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26yaw%3D39.34286672262874%26pitch%3D-1.9432047352272122%26thumbfov%3D90!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?coh=205410&entry=ttu

[Henry]

It is possible and maybe even likely (it happens around here) that the wall could be built inside of the gantry stand and camera pole. I am thinking like how IDOT recently did the new wall on 294 at Balmoral Ave.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9728579,-87.8693853,3a,87.5y,39.34h,91.94t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sr4bA9ZNnx2nCMGMt-Nv8lA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3Dr4bA9ZNnx2nCMGMt-Nv8lA%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.share%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26yaw%3D39.34286672262874%26pitch%3D-1.9432047352272122%26thumbfov%3D90!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?coh=205410&entry=ttu

Well, now it makes sense! Although the gantry and camera pole are still too close to the house (which is indeed 4945, proving that Google doesn't know a damn thing about addresses), I think it's clear that the obvious solution would be to install a retaining wall so that the neighborhood won't be disturbed by the nearby freeway traffic. At least the IL example is a commercial/industrial area, and they're more used to the noise.

[ITB]

Here's a few more pictures. They were taken the same day as the previous two sets, and I've been remiss in not posting them. So let's get to it before they get stale. Photos were taken Sunday, June 9, 2024.


On the southwest side of Indianapolis, a zoomed in shot toward I-465 from the Mann Road overpass; looking east. Crews have just started to tear up the old westbound lanes in preparation to widening and reconstruction. The right post of the overhead spanning sign (left) roughly indicates the extent to which the westbound lanes will be widened. The I-69N to I-465W flyover is in the deep background (top, left).


Long range perspective from Mann Road, depicting recently shifted westbound traffic running on the future eastbound lanes.


To the south of I-465, looking north from the Epler Avenue overpass toward the future I-69/I-465 interchange. Nothing much has changed here in the past month. Aside from a few shoulder strips to be paved, it is all but but done in this area.


Turning around, the view looking south from the Epler overpass.


Another zoomed in view looking east from the Mann Road overpass, showing more clearly the temporary I-465 westbound exit ramp to Mann Road. In the background left is the Harmon Ditch work zone where the new, replacement bridge is being built.


Another long range shot from the Mann Road overpass.


Coming in to land at IND; again looking east from Mann.


Another zoomed in shot from Mann.


And another. While I'm cognizant people have to get around, motorcycling on I-465 may not be the best idea. All it takes is just one driver taking a phone peek, which, unfortunately, is all too common nowadays.


And one more, a long range shot looking north from the Epler Avenue overpass.

I was tempted to head up to Indy to take some pictures last Sunday, but the oppressive heat dissuaded me. Maybe this upcoming Sunday. It still will be quite warm, so we'll see.

[silverback1065]

I-69 is officially signed along 465! Well... in one place, NB right after the Shadeland exit. they have also put up covered up 69 shields on some of the pull through 465 signs around the 70 exit. Also NB 465 exit to 69 is now 37a with 82nd street being 37b.

[Great Lakes Roads]

INDOT is FINALLY starting to add the control city of "Indianapolis" on the BGS for I-69 NB north of Evansville!

The first one went up at the I-64 interchange that replaced this sign gantry.

All of the sign gantries that are being replaced at the I-69/I-64 interchange are currently sitting in the SW loop.

[Interstate 69 Fan]

I-69 is officially signed along 465! Well... in one place, NB right after the Shadeland exit. they have also put up covered up 69 shields on some of the pull through 465 signs around the 70 exit. Also NB 465 exit to 69 is now 37a with 82nd street being 37b.

I believe you mean EB, NB's 82nd St ramp will be just part of the main "Exit 37" ramp.

Also did FHWA/AASHTO approve I-69 along 465 yet? Figured that'd be taken care of already.

[OCGuy81]

Seeing the 69 mile markers in one of these pictures....have any exit numbers for the existing I-69 in Indiana been updated yet?

[Interstate 69 Fan]

Seeing the 69 mile markers in one of these pictures....have any exit numbers for the existing I-69 in Indiana been updated yet?

They never will. INDOT said they're going to remain as-is. Adding 200 to them a few years ago already caused enough confusion, and quite frankly everyday drivers don't need more.

[IndyAgent]

They must think we are stupid. People us the exit names ie, 82nd street, 96th and so on. It looks stupid and makes the length of 69 longer than it is

[silverback1065]

I-69 is officially signed along 465! Well... in one place, NB right after the Shadeland exit. they have also put up covered up 69 shields on some of the pull through 465 signs around the 70 exit. Also NB 465 exit to 69 is now 37a with 82nd street being 37b.

I believe you mean EB, NB's 82nd St ramp will be just part of the main "Exit 37" ramp.

Also did FHWA/AASHTO approve I-69 along 465 yet? Figured that'd be taken care of already.

Nope NB it's signed in the field as 37b for 82nd street.

[JREwing78]

They must think we are stupid. People us the exit names ie, 82nd street, 96th and so on. It looks stupid and makes the length of 69 longer than it is

They realize 99% of the folks using I-69 literally DON'T CARE! Oh, it's only 341 miles long from end to end instead of 358 miles? Oh, better call the milemarker police and arrest those naughty InDOT employees who dared make I-69 look longer than it is!

What if we told you that the distance to go southbound is different than the distance to go northbound. Why don't we have different milemarker distances in each direction and different exit numbers to go along with it??

Maybe because the milemarkers and exit numbers are less about the actual distance from a border and more of a reference point? Nobody's using the milemarkers as precise or exact measurements of distance between two points.

Adding 200 to every milepost north of I-465 was a stroke of genius on InDOT's part. Folks who were capable of subtracting 200 from the new exit numbers could easily remember "Oh, that's old exit 157!" and quickly regain their bearings. It also didn't lock InDOT into a particular length for the (hidden) I-69 concurrency around Indianapolis. If they reconfigure some portion of I-465 and ended up making it a mile or two longer, they don't have to touch the mileposts on I-69.

They're never going to make the folks happy who measure distances between mileposts and discover it's only 5100 feet in one direction and 5460 feet in the other direction. That's not the milepost's job. It's to give everyone a common point of reference, so when someone says they're at milepost 324, emergency responders know where that location is.

[TheCleanDemon]

I-69 is officially signed along 465! Well... in one place, NB right after the Shadeland exit. they have also put up covered up 69 shields on some of the pull through 465 signs around the 70 exit. Also NB 465 exit to 69 is now 37a with 82nd street being 37b.

I believe you mean EB, NB's 82nd St ramp will be just part of the main "Exit 37" ramp.

Also did FHWA/AASHTO approve I-69 along 465 yet? Figured that'd be taken care of already.

There is at least one sign on NB 465 with 82nd Street signed as exit 37b

[Great Lakes Roads]

The 55 mph speed limit in Bloomington will be raised to 65 mph starting on or after June 27th from MP 112-MP 122.

[silverback1065]

The 55 mph speed limit in Bloomington will be raised to 65 mph starting on or after June 27th from MP 112-MP 122.

good noone ever went 55 in the first place 

[Interstate 69 Fan]

I-69 is officially signed along 465! Well... in one place, NB right after the Shadeland exit. they have also put up covered up 69 shields on some of the pull through 465 signs around the 70 exit. Also NB 465 exit to 69 is now 37a with 82nd street being 37b.

Saw some also covered up on I-70 EB too. Looks like they're also now up at Exit 53. Anyone have a guess when these will be uncovered, since I'm pretty sure the FHWA has approved it already (someone might want to check for me)...

[silverback1065]

I-69 is officially signed along 465! Well... in one place, NB right after the Shadeland exit. they have also put up covered up 69 shields on some of the pull through 465 signs around the 70 exit. Also NB 465 exit to 69 is now 37a with 82nd street being 37b.

Saw some also covered up on I-70 EB too. Looks like they're also now up at Exit 53. Anyone have a guess when these will be uncovered, since I'm pretty sure the FHWA has approved it already (someone might want to check for me)...

whenever the exit opens they'll uncover them at this rate November. and they'll stay until the sign project to replace all the signs happens next year.

[Moose]

https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/monroe-county/speed-limit-to-increase-on-i-69-in-monroe-county

Mile marker 112 to Mile marker 122 in Monroe County will be going from 55 to 65.

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/monroe-county/speed-limit-to-increase-on-i-69-in-monroe-county

Mile marker 112 to Mile marker 122 in Monroe County will be going from 55 to 65.

I've said that a few posts up, but whatever... 

The 55 mph speed limit in Bloomington will be raised to 65 mph starting on or after June 27th from MP 112-MP 122.

[Moose]

https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/monroe-county/speed-limit-to-increase-on-i-69-in-monroe-county

Mile marker 112 to Mile marker 122 in Monroe County will be going from 55 to 65.

I've said that a few posts up, but whatever... 

The 55 mph speed limit in Bloomington will be raised to 65 mph starting on or after June 27th from MP 112-MP 122.

A verifiable source was not quoted when sharing such information. Which I added. Always share the source.

[Moose]

https://fb.watch/sZnDDhxjuK/

"The flyover bridge that will eventually route millions of vehicles from I-69 northbound to I-465 westbound is a step closer to completion following the recent concrete deck pour. Once operational, this connection will significantly improve traffic flow. One of the largest within the new I-69/I-465 interchange, the bridge spans approximately 714 feet and required approximately 972 cubic yards of concrete to complete."

[ITB]

Here's a selection of screen shots from the deck pour video, which was linked to above:


I-69 Finish Line
Working at night, crew members undertake the deck pour of the future flyover that will carry I-69N to I-465W at the system interchange on the south side of Indianapolis; looking southeast. On the right is the future ramp from I-465E to I-69S, while in the left-center, going underneath the I-69N flyover, is the ramp from Harding Street to I-465W.


I-69 Finish Line
Different angle; looking west. A sliver of the future ramp from Harding Street to I-465W is on the right.


I-69 Finish Line
Closer look.


I-69 Finish Line
Focused on the work at hand, the operators of the bridge deck finisher machine.


I-69 Finish Line
Different view of the bridge deck finisher.


I-69 Finish Line
Close up of the truss-mounted screed of the bridge deck finisher. Moving from side to side, the screed smooths and applies the specified camber to the concrete.


I-69 Finish Line
Another perspective of the deck pour; looking southeast.


I-69 Finish Line
Mid-range shot; looking slightly northeast.

For convenience, here's the video:

[Rick Powell]

Looks like the last section of unpaved I-69 mainline near Indianapolis, the future SB lanes south of Southport Road, have finally got some asphalt laid on them.

https://tinyurl.com/nh5jsbdz

[IndyAgent]

Thanks for the photos and videos, the deck pour is fun to watch and they are moving fast. Its hard to imagine this project is almost done considering they have been talking about I69 from Evansville to Indy for 50 years

[ITB]

Drove up to Indy for another look-see. Nice weather, temperatures in the mid-70s. Couldn't be better for picture taking. Encountered another project watcher, Bob H., on the Epler Avenue overpass. Told him about the forum. Very nice gentleman who was previously associated with the construction industry in Indianapolis. Bob, if you're reading this, a hearty "hello" and greetings!

Photos were taken Sunday, June 30, 2024.


On the south side of Indianapolis, looking south toward the Epler Avenue overpass.


Looking southeast toward I-465 from the flyover that will carry traffic from I-465W to I-69S. Currently, all I-465 traffic is using the eastbound lanes. The future westbound lanes are on the left. On the right, crossing underneath the ramp that will carry I-69N to I-465E, is the exit ramp from I-465E to Harding Street.


Shifting toward the east, another view from the flyover. The low sun in the western sky produced some long shadows.


The flyover; looking north. Two trucks on are eastbound on I-465, while the third is on the exit ramp to Harding Street.


Turning around, the view looking southeast toward the bridge that will carry I-69N ramp to I-465W. If the sweeping curve looks significant, be assured it is. Gotta wonder what the speed limit will be. 50 mph? 40?


Mid-range view looking toward the Epler Avenue overpass from near the point where the two southbound ramps merge to become I-69 south.


Near the Epler Avenue overpass, sets of articulated concrete blocks used for embankment erosion control and the rigging used to move them.


Looking north toward the ramps from I-465 to I-69S, with the I-69N to I-465W flyover in the background. It was about 8:45 pm, and the shadows were extensive.


Closer look of the curving I-465E to I-69S ramp underneath the bridge that will carry I-69N to I-465W; looking north.


Another look looking south toward the Epler overpass. South of I-465, the shoulders of the I-69 ramps at the future interchange are now almost completely paved. This is only section remaining that I came across.

More photos to come.

[silverback1065]

I just drove this and 69 is now signed on 465 just east of harding now as FUTURE 69. Side note, 144 should become an extension of 42.