Indiana Notes

[seicer]

Planning for a circumferential highway around Cincinnati shaped the development of several major Ohio River crossings, including the Carroll Lee Cropper Bridge and the Combs-Hehl Bridges.

Read on: Completing the Circle Freeway: The Two River Bridges That Made It Possible

1 Carroll Lee Cropper Bridge



2 Carroll Lee Cropper Bridge



3 Carroll Lee Cropper Bridge



4 Carroll Lee Cropper Bridge



5 Combs-Hehl Bridges



6 Combs-Hehl Bridges



7 Combs-Hehl Bridges

[Life in Paradise]

Rarely, do you see cities under 100,000 listed as control cities. The metropolitan Peoria area, with Pekin, is somewhat larger than both Blormal and Chambana. Also, when an interstate actually goes into the heart of a city, it is usually chosen as a control city. 74 goes right through the heart of Peoria, where it skirts both Blormal and Chambana. If these cities were to be used as control cities on 74, then places like Terre Haute on 70, Anderson on 69, and Bowling Green on 65 should also be used.

Following this then should the control city for I-69 south from Indianapolis be Memphis TN since it doesn't go directly through Evansville or Paducah. It also bypasses Bloomington to the east, but that would also suffice as a control city as far as I am concerned.

I-69 goes through the heart of Indianapolis as well as is does - and will once the new Ohio River Bridge  is completed - for Evansville.

I-69 does go through part of the Evansville City Limits on the east side, so yes, it does go to Evansville.  I'm more interested why INDOT had the signs indicating at Exits 10, 9, 7, and 5 that to go to Evansville you need to go south on I-69.  If you are west of the interstate at any of those exits, all you need to do is go west, and you are there.  I-69 does not, nor ever will go into downtown Evansville.  That is Veterans Memorial Parkway, and is a nice little drive, but not an interstate.

[seicer]

It should be amended that Interstate 69 does not go through the heart of downtown Indianapolis, either. It follows Interstate 465 around the city.

[silverback1065]

It should be amended that Interstate 69 does not go through the heart of downtown Indianapolis, either. It follows Interstate 465 around the city.

ya that was supposed to happen but we all know the story as to why that never happened.

[monty]

Tippecanoe County approves funding for study on connecting I-65 and US-231

Poad said talks around connecting the two roads go back to the inception of US-231.

"Back in 1978, our community had its first long range transportation plan, and it identified a western route around Purdue campus in West Lafayette," Poad explained. "The next phase is actually extending that up to I-65."

Poad believes the connection would be beneficial for both personal and business travel.

"There's a lot of truck traffic on I-65 and there's a lot of destinations that it would like to go to, not in Indianapolis, but further to the south," Poad said, for one example.

(Doug Poad is the county's senior transportation planner.)

Facebook link to article:
https://www.starcitytv.com/news/local/tippecanoe-county-approves-funding-for-study-on-connecting-i-65-and-us-231/article_dc1834b5-0c13-4447-a317-61d59f32f230.html?fbclid=IwZnRzaAOtjQFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeRikpAii-aqKUQLgKlqv94U1qQ5KMxg0L1RUSkuNKvoWYnP0wtnuen8JoSxU_aem_KpAthUO80HHBIZ_jUfmMZw

[silverback1065]

Tippecanoe County approves funding for study on connecting I-65 and US-231

Poad said talks around connecting the two roads go back to the inception of US-231.

"Back in 1978, our community had its first long range transportation plan, and it identified a western route around Purdue campus in West Lafayette," Poad explained. "The next phase is actually extending that up to I-65."

Poad believes the connection would be beneficial for both personal and business travel.

"There's a lot of truck traffic on I-65 and there's a lot of destinations that it would like to go to, not in Indianapolis, but further to the south," Poad said, for one example.

(Doug Poad is the county's senior transportation planner.)

Facebook link to article:
https://www.starcitytv.com/news/local/tippecanoe-county-approves-funding-for-study-on-connecting-i-65-and-us-231/article_dc1834b5-0c13-4447-a317-61d59f32f230.html?fbclid=IwZnRzaAOtjQFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeRikpAii-aqKUQLgKlqv94U1qQ5KMxg0L1RUSkuNKvoWYnP0wtnuen8JoSxU_aem_KpAthUO80HHBIZ_jUfmMZw

I've always thought they should have built a freeway following the general route, call it I-665.

[Life in Paradise]

Tippecanoe County approves funding for study on connecting I-65 and US-231

Poad said talks around connecting the two roads go back to the inception of US-231.

"Back in 1978, our community had its first long range transportation plan, and it identified a western route around Purdue campus in West Lafayette," Poad explained. "The next phase is actually extending that up to I-65."

Poad believes the connection would be beneficial for both personal and business travel.

"There's a lot of truck traffic on I-65 and there's a lot of destinations that it would like to go to, not in Indianapolis, but further to the south," Poad said, for one example.

(Doug Poad is the county's senior transportation planner.)

Facebook link to article:
https://www.starcitytv.com/news/local/tippecanoe-county-approves-funding-for-study-on-connecting-i-65-and-us-231/article_dc1834b5-0c13-4447-a317-61d59f32f230.html?fbclid=IwZnRzaAOtjQFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeRikpAii-aqKUQLgKlqv94U1qQ5KMxg0L1RUSkuNKvoWYnP0wtnuen8JoSxU_aem_KpAthUO80HHBIZ_jUfmMZw

I've always thought they should have built a freeway following the general route, call it I-665.

At one time (long ago) prior to the serious efforts of putting in I-69 from Indianapolis to Evansville, there was talk of a toll road from Lafayette to Owensboro, which basically would be close to US-231.  I wonder if some of that talk derailed this needed type of road, as well as the Jasper, IN bypass during that time. 

[jnewkirk77]

Tippecanoe County approves funding for study on connecting I-65 and US-231

Poad said talks around connecting the two roads go back to the inception of US-231.

"Back in 1978, our community had its first long range transportation plan, and it identified a western route around Purdue campus in West Lafayette," Poad explained. "The next phase is actually extending that up to I-65."

Poad believes the connection would be beneficial for both personal and business travel.

"There's a lot of truck traffic on I-65 and there's a lot of destinations that it would like to go to, not in Indianapolis, but further to the south," Poad said, for one example.

(Doug Poad is the county's senior transportation planner.)

Facebook link to article:
https://www.starcitytv.com/news/local/tippecanoe-county-approves-funding-for-study-on-connecting-i-65-and-us-231/article_dc1834b5-0c13-4447-a317-61d59f32f230.html?fbclid=IwZnRzaAOtjQFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeRikpAii-aqKUQLgKlqv94U1qQ5KMxg0L1RUSkuNKvoWYnP0wtnuen8JoSxU_aem_KpAthUO80HHBIZ_jUfmMZw

I've always thought they should have built a freeway following the general route, call it I-665.

At one time (long ago) prior to the serious efforts of putting in I-69 from Indianapolis to Evansville, there was talk of a toll road from Lafayette to Owensboro, which basically would be close to US-231.  I wonder if some of that talk derailed this needed type of road, as well as the Jasper, IN bypass during that time. 

The toll road idea died around 1980 because (1) Kentucky wasn't at that time willing to build a new bridge at or near Owensboro and (2) Indiana felt traffic numbers wouldn't pay for a toll road.  Now, 45 years later, there's been a newer bridge NE of Owensboro for over 20 years and Indiana has proven itself willing to toll roads no matter what the traffic count.

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://www.wrtv.com/news/wrtv-investigates/report-ranks-indiana-worst-in-the-country-for-roads

To no one's surprise, I-70 in Indiana is trucker's worst road within the US...

Truckers said their top complaint is that the "pavement condition is terrible," and the second complaint was "clear lack of road maintenance."

[Revive 755]

The toll road idea died around 1980 because (1) Kentucky wasn't at that time willing to build a new bridge at or near Owensboro and (2) Indiana felt traffic numbers wouldn't pay for a toll road.  Now, 45 years later, there's been a newer bridge NE of Owensboro for over 20 years and Indiana has proven itself willing to toll roads no matter what the traffic count.

So what toll road is there in Indiana besides the Indiana Toll Road?  I can think of a couple toll bridges, but not any new fully tolled roadways.  They certainly haven't built any new ones around Indianapolis, much less a partial build of the Illiana between I-65 and US 41.

[jnewkirk77]

The toll road idea died around 1980 because (1) Kentucky wasn't at that time willing to build a new bridge at or near Owensboro and (2) Indiana felt traffic numbers wouldn't pay for a toll road.  Now, 45 years later, there's been a newer bridge NE of Owensboro for over 20 years and Indiana has proven itself willing to toll roads no matter what the traffic count.

So what toll road is there in Indiana besides the Indiana Toll Road?  I can think of a couple toll bridges, but not any new fully tolled roadways.  They certainly haven't built any new ones around Indianapolis, much less a partial build of the Illiana between I-65 and US 41.

The General Assembly allowed INDOT to toll existing highways in this year's session. This story has more information.

[monty]

Tippecanoe County approves funding for study on connecting I-65 and US-231

Poad said talks around connecting the two roads go back to the inception of US-231.

"Back in 1978, our community had its first long range transportation plan, and it identified a western route around Purdue campus in West Lafayette," Poad explained. "The next phase is actually extending that up to I-65."

Poad believes the connection would be beneficial for both personal and business travel.

"There's a lot of truck traffic on I-65 and there's a lot of destinations that it would like to go to, not in Indianapolis, but further to the south," Poad said, for one example.

(Doug Poad is the county's senior transportation planner.)

Facebook link to article:
https://www.starcitytv.com/news/local/tippecanoe-county-approves-funding-for-study-on-connecting-i-65-and-us-231/article_dc1834b5-0c13-4447-a317-61d59f32f230.html?fbclid=IwZnRzaAOtjQFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeRikpAii-aqKUQLgKlqv94U1qQ5KMxg0L1RUSkuNKvoWYnP0wtnuen8JoSxU_aem_KpAthUO80HHBIZ_jUfmMZw

I've always thought they should have built a freeway following the general route, call it I-665.

It is hindsight now, but I agree a US 231 / I 665 freeway would be quite useful. The current "new" US 231 west side bypass is starting to grow stoplights. INDOT just finished a third passing lane US 231 project down to I 74. US 231 south to I 74 to Indy west side is not a bad choice. 

This proposed connection north to I 65 and east over to IN 43 would act as a bypass to relieve local I 65 traffic and perhaps divert some current I 65 traffic from the Indy metro area.

Further, if the "loop" could be closed on the south side of Lafayette back to US 52, there would be multiple options to access the west side and also relieve I 65, especially during heavy traffic periods, accidents, and construction zones.
 
A true I 665 loop would really help traffic around a rapidly growing city. That is a wishful thought. It won't be easy to build the proposed segment.

[Revive 755]

The General Assembly allowed INDOT to toll existing highways in this year's session. This story has more information.

Seems I misread the early statement.  But I'll believe the "all interstates" part when Indiana tolls at least part of I-465 (all lanes, not just one or more express/HOT lanes).

[tosa]

Tippecanoe County approves funding for study on connecting I-65 and US-231

Poad said talks around connecting the two roads go back to the inception of US-231.

"Back in 1978, our community had its first long range transportation plan, and it identified a western route around Purdue campus in West Lafayette," Poad explained. "The next phase is actually extending that up to I-65."

Poad believes the connection would be beneficial for both personal and business travel.

"There's a lot of truck traffic on I-65 and there's a lot of destinations that it would like to go to, not in Indianapolis, but further to the south," Poad said, for one example.

(Doug Poad is the county's senior transportation planner.)

Facebook link to article:
https://www.starcitytv.com/news/local/tippecanoe-county-approves-funding-for-study-on-connecting-i-65-and-us-231/article_dc1834b5-0c13-4447-a317-61d59f32f230.html?fbclid=IwZnRzaAOtjQFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeRikpAii-aqKUQLgKlqv94U1qQ5KMxg0L1RUSkuNKvoWYnP0wtnuen8JoSxU_aem_KpAthUO80HHBIZ_jUfmMZw

I've always thought they should have built a freeway following the general route, call it I-665.

It is hindsight now, but I agree a US 231 / I 665 freeway would be quite useful. The current "new" US 231 west side bypass is starting to grow stoplights. INDOT just finished a third passing lane US 231 project down to I 74. US 231 south to I 74 to Indy west side is not a bad choice. 

This proposed connection north to I 65 and east over to IN 43 would act as a bypass to relieve local I 65 traffic and perhaps divert some current I 65 traffic from the Indy metro area.

Further, if the "loop" could be closed on the south side of Lafayette back to US 52, there would be multiple options to access the west side and also relieve I 65, especially during heavy traffic periods, accidents, and construction zones.
 
A true I 665 loop would really help traffic around a rapidly growing city. That is a wishful thought. It won't be easy to build the proposed segment.

Another reason I believe an I-665 loop is necessary is that Purdue currently has no direct 4-lane road connection to I-65 in either the north or southbound direction.

[silverback1065]

The General Assembly allowed INDOT to toll existing highways in this year's session. This story has more information.

Seems I misread the early statement.  But I'll believe the "all interstates" part when Indiana tolls at least part of I-465 (all lanes, not just one or more express/HOT lanes).

I doubt they'd toll 465 that would get a lot of pushback. Tolling 65 and 70 would be a good idea to pay for the widening of both. who knows what INDOT will do though.

[Great Lakes Roads]

Contract #T-45735: Sign Replacements/Correcting exit numbers on US 20/31 in St. Joseph County

INDOT has released sign plans for this project. Here are some notable changes from these plans:

Exit 256- Cleveland Road/Brick Road
Exit 255B- I-80/90 TOLL
Exit 255A- Nimtz Pkwy
Exit 254B- US 20 West (New Carlisle) Michigan City gets replaced with New Carlisle
Exit 254A- Lincoln Way Replaces South Bend signage with street name

No changes on US 20 between exits 73-79. Past exit 79, the contractor has to overlay the newly numbered exits:
Exit 82 --> Exit 80
Exit 84 --> Exit 82
Exit 86 --> Exit 84

One more thing: northbound US 31 approaching the southern US 20 interchange will be getting two new overhead gantries.

[The Ghostbuster]

I think the US 20/US 31 freeway should've gotten exit numbers long ago. Still, better late than never.

[monty]

   
INDOT cancels, postpones projects as it applies for tolling option for I-70
The number of nixed road and bridge plans is rising, the Indiana Department of Transportation told state lawmakers on Monday, citing "funding constraints." INDOT reported hitting the brakes on 300 projects this time last year, and Legislative Director Aaron Wainscott said Monday that the number has continued to increase. For example, INDOT had planned a "major" interchange improvement project northwest of Indianapolis near Whitestown but has since been forced to break it into smaller projects. Wainscott also confirmed INDOT submitted a tolling application late last year to the Federal Highway Administration specifically for Interstate 70 but didn't provide it to committee lawmakers. Leslie Bonilla Muñiz of Indiana Capital Chronicle has the latest. source: IBJ Eight@8, a paid portal

[ITB]

^^^^^^^

Here's the link to the above referenced article, which was published online by the Indiana Capital Chronicle. The article is not behind a paywall.

[Life in Paradise]

INDOT cancels, postpones projects as it applies for tolling option for I-70
The number of nixed road and bridge plans is rising, the Indiana Department of Transportation told state lawmakers on Monday, citing "funding constraints." INDOT reported hitting the brakes on 300 projects this time last year, and Legislative Director Aaron Wainscott said Monday that the number has continued to increase. For example, INDOT had planned a "major" interchange improvement project northwest of Indianapolis near Whitestown but has since been forced to break it into smaller projects. Wainscott also confirmed INDOT submitted a tolling application late last year to the Federal Highway Administration specifically for Interstate 70 but didn't provide it to committee lawmakers. Leslie Bonilla Muñiz of Indiana Capital Chronicle has the latest. source: IBJ Eight@8, a paid portal

The cost of projects have gone up significantly over the past few years.  I do believe some of it has been since INDOT has rolled out numerous projects that were delayed due to the Covid situation a few years ago.  As a result they are bidding against themselves on some projects since there are only so many workers that are available for the jobs as I see it.  Slowing down those jobs might pull back the inflation factor in the near term.  If they are wanting to put tolls on I-70, then a focus on that road's potential projects might be a good move, since the work needs to be done (same as I-65).  Even though the governor is from Jasper, the Mid-States Corridor as a whole could use a delay.  That could be scaled back to the area of I-64 to Jasper (and around) with a delayed timetable.  They have waited 50 years, so what's a few more?

[ITB]

Some more details have come out regarding the potential tolling of I-70.

According to calculations based on INDOT's 2018 tolling strategy, toll rates would range from 4 cents to 7 cents per mile for passenger vehicles. The maximum toll for a one-way trip from Terre Haute to Richmond would be $10.50 for passenger vehicles and $57 for semi-trucks. Bear in mind these rates are bound to be reevaluated. At the time, almost everything with regards to tolling is in a state of flux.

Read more about it here.

[ITB]

The tight financial picture INDOT is facing is nothing new. For years the department has been warning the fuel-tax revenue stream that it depends on has been under stress. Compared to 10 or 20 years ago, there's a lot more fuel sipping efficient vehicles on Indiana's roads. In addition, the adoption of electric vehicles is gaining traction. As a result, fuels sales have been stagnant. Add to the equation increasing construction costs for roads and bridges and the future is clear: a situation that's untenable and unsustainable, a perfect storm.

In the near term, something's got to give. INDOT sorely needs additional revenue. Across Indiana, great strides have been made in recent years improving the state's roads and bridges. But now financial headwinds are causing several projects to be delayed or pared back in scope. Case in point: the project to improve and widen I-65 in Clark and Scott counties. Originally, INDOT wanted to widen 13 miles of roadway, but facing cost constraints the agency had to settle for widening only 5.5 miles.

As many of you are well aware, most of Indiana's political leaders do not like raising taxes. Among certain factions, it's almost verboten to even discuss the matter. At this time, talk of increasing any taxes whatsoever is a non-starter in the statehouse. For one, it's not necessary as the state is in excellent fiscal health.

INDOT, on the other hand, as already mentioned, is struggling. And that's why the department's representatives were at the statehouse, explaining the current state of affairs. The heart of the matter is, of course, money.
 

[Rothman]

Hm.  Wonder if the effect of electric vehicles on fuel sales is exaggerated.  Registrations of such are still a very small percentage of light-duty registrations in Indiana:

https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

[ITB]

Hm.  Wonder if the effect of electric vehicles on fuel sales is exaggerated.  Registrations of such are still a very small percentage of light-duty registrations in Indiana:

https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

To be sure, there is some exaggeration of the effect of electric vehicles on fuel sales. Be that as it may, the potential changes due to the increasing adoption of electric vehicle should not be underestimated.

Compared to several other counties, the United States is woefully lagging in the adoption of electric vehicles. For example, in Norway 31% of the total vehicles on the road are electric. In Iceland, it's roughly 15–20% of the fleet. In the Netherlands, it's 12–14%. Both Sweden and Finland are around the 10–12% mark.

While China has the highest sales volume of electric vehicles, it trails countries such as Vietnam (20%), Thailand (20%), and Indonesia (15%), in electric vehicle market penetration.

In the United States, about 10% of new vehicle sales are electric. In Norway, it's 96%. Denmark, 56%. China, 50–60%. Sweden, 48%. Vietnam, 40%.

The increasing adoption of electric vehicles worldwide is one reason why the world is awash in oil right now. In Indiana, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $2.73. The nationwide average is $2.82.

[Life in Paradise]

Hm.  Wonder if the effect of electric vehicles on fuel sales is exaggerated.  Registrations of such are still a very small percentage of light-duty registrations in Indiana:

https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicle-registration

To be sure, there is some exaggeration of the effect of electric vehicles on fuel sales. Be that as it may, the potential changes due to the increasing adoption of electric vehicle should not be underestimated.

Compared to several other counties, the United States is woefully lagging in the adoption of electric vehicles. For example, in Norway 31% of the total vehicles on the road are electric. In Iceland, it's roughly 15–20% of the fleet. In the Netherlands, it's 12–14%. Both Sweden and Finland are around the 10–12% mark.

While China has the highest sales volume of electric vehicles, it trails countries such as Vietnam (20%), Thailand (20%), and Indonesia (15%), in electric vehicle market penetration.

In the United States, about 10% of new vehicle sales are electric. In Norway, it's 96%. Denmark, 56%. China, 50–60%. Sweden, 48%. Vietnam, 40%.

The increasing adoption of electric vehicles worldwide is one reason why the world is awash in oil right now. In Indiana, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $2.73. The nationwide average is $2.82.

One comparison that I would like to see is the comparison of how many miles the average vehicle travels per year and per day in each of these countries.  In most of the countries noted, they are much smaller than the US (China is an outlier) and I would guess the range issue is not a major problem.  I would guess that might not be an issue in China either since I'm figuring that their vehicles usually stay in a metro area and do not travel much on those expressways out of the metros.