Indiana Notes

[Great Lakes Roads]

Speed cameras are coming to another construction zone in Indiana, but it's going to be on I-65 in Lake County (south of Lowell). Should be active on/after July 7th.

[NWI_Irish96]

Speed cameras are coming to another construction zone in Indiana, but it's going to be on I-65 in Lake County (south of Lowell). Should be active on/after July 7th.

That seems pointless. It's hard to get above 70 for any extended period of time between Lowell and W. Lafayette.

[seicer]

Speed cameras are coming to another construction zone in Indiana, but it's going to be on I-65 in Lake County (south of Lowell). Should be active on/after July 7th.

That seems pointless. It's hard to get above 70 for any extended period of time between Lowell and W. Lafayette.

Why are you wanting to speed at 70 MPH through an active construction zone?

[sprjus4]

Speed cameras are coming to another construction zone in Indiana, but it's going to be on I-65 in Lake County (south of Lowell). Should be active on/after July 7th.

That seems pointless. It's hard to get above 70 for any extended period of time between Lowell and W. Lafayette.

Why are you wanting to speed at 70 MPH through an active construction zone?

I can think of a number of interstate construction zones that are posted at 70 mph. A lot of areas won't reduce the speed limit outside of certain times because there is no need.

Here's an example: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dPuDJvWLCjjy4Bux8

While it was reduced to 60 mph when the imagery was taken, it is often at 70 mph. And funny enough, when it's not congested, traffic still moves 75-80 mph whether it's posted at 60 mph or 70 mph, in my experience.

These states that reduce these types of construction zones to 45 mph is egregiously unrealistic and presents safety hazards of its own... particularly with speed variance and the sudden drop of speed from 70+ mph speeds (especially once photo enforcement begins) combined with heavy traffic flow.

[NWI_Irish96]

Speed cameras are coming to another construction zone in Indiana, but it's going to be on I-65 in Lake County (south of Lowell). Should be active on/after July 7th.

That seems pointless. It's hard to get above 70 for any extended period of time between Lowell and W. Lafayette.

Why are you wanting to speed at 70 MPH through an active construction zone?

Sorry, missed the part about it being a construction zone.

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://propelus31.com/alternatives3/

https://propelus30.com/alternatives3/

The final PEL study for US 30 and US 31 just came out!

There has been some updates...

U.S. 30 West – West of Plymouth, an overpass was replaced with an interchange at Union Road in one of the expressway alternatives. This change improves access for those traveling to Marian University's Ancilla College and the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Center at the Donaldson complex.

In Wanatah, an overpass at LaPorte County Road 1100 West was replaced with a directional intersection, and Condon Street was changed from right-in/right-out to a directional intersection. In addition, dedicated median openings were added to allow U-turn movements. These changes improve access for emergency services and local connectivity.

U.S. 30 East - In Warsaw, the freeway alternative was updated to include local service roads. This change provides access to and from businesses situated between Old U.S. 30 and County Road 250 East.

In Columbia City, all improvement packages feature full access at State Road 205. This change better accommodates traffic to and from the hospital and the surrounding region.

U.S. 31 South - In Sharpsville, an overpass was added at the intersection of U.S. 31 and County Road 300 North in one of the arterial alternatives and the expressway lite alternative. These changes improve east-west mobility and connectivity.

In the Grissom area, the expressway lite and freeway alternatives include an interchange alternative at the U.S. 31 and County Road 800 South intersection rather than at the County Road 850 South intersection. This change promotes east-west mobility by improving traffic flow while also improving safety.

[I-55]

Was interested in seeing which segments were recommended for freeway in the final screening, but I guess they dropped the recommendations altogether. I'm thinking that once the Warsaw and Whitley sections are built to freeway standards it would be more practical to complete the freeway buildout from Fort Wayne to Warsaw for consistency.

[ITB]

Looking through INDOT's 18-month construction letting list, there are several upcoming projects that feature added travel lanes. The list is current as of June 15, 2025.

These were the  projects listed, along with their respective letting dates:

• US 36     County: Marion     Contract: R-41781
  Added travel lanes, from 3 miles west of I-465 to 1.65 miles west of I-465; and from 1.65 miles west of I-465 to I-465
  Letting date: 07/09/2025

• ST-1018 (Anchorage Rd/CR 200)     County: Kosciusco     Contract: R-41153
  Added travel lane, from SR 15 to Biomet Dr
  Letting date: 10/08/2025

• State Road 45     County: Monroe     Contract: R-42595
  Added travel lanes, from the Bloomington bypass to the intersection of Pete Ellis Dr; intersection improvements with added turn lanes
  Letting date: 10/08/2025

• ST-1043 (Hillegas Road)     County: Allen     Contract: R-46105
  Added travel lanes, from approximately 400 feet north of Butler Rd to Coliseum Blvd; PH 1
  Letting date: 10/08/2025

• I-64     County: Floyd     Contract: R-42570
  Added travel lanes, from US 150 to the I-64/Spring Street interchange
  Letting date: 11/19/2025

• US 20     County: Elkhart     Contract: R-42379
  Added travel lanes, from 2.13 miles west of SR 13 (CR 35) to SR 13
  Letting date: 12/10/2025

• IR-1850 (CR 300 N)     County: Hancock     Contract: R-43621
  Added travel lanes, between CR 600 W and CR 700 W (SEG F)
  Letting date: 12/10/2025

• ST-1106 (County Line Road)     County: Marion     Contract: R-43594
  Added travel lanes, from I-69 to SR 135 (S Meridian St)
  Letting date: 07/08/2026

• IR-1249 (Olio Road)     County: Hamilton     Contract: R-44267
  Added travel lanes, from 146th to 156th Street
  Letting date: 07/08/2026

• State Road 32     County: Hamilton     Contract: R-43547
  Added travel lanes, East Street to River Road
  Letting date: 08/05/2026

[Beltway]

I make trip once a year to NW Indiana, and use I-70 and I-65 on the leg from Dayton, Ohio.

I tabulated the widening mileage on I-65 Indy to I-80/I-90.

I-65 Segment --------------- Mi. -- Lanes
.................................................................................   
I-865 to N. of IN 47 -------- 18 --- 8 and 6
N. of IN 47 to S. of IN 38  -- 20 --- 4
S. of IN 38 to E 725 N  ----- 13 ---- 6
E 725 N to S. of IN 2 ------- 58 ---- 4
S. of IN 2 to I-80/90 -------- 21 --- 6
TOTAL  --------------------- 130
      
40% or 52 miles is 6 lanes
60% or 78 miles is 4 lanes

I checked the traffic data for the Kankakee River bridge, which is on a 4-lane segment, and the AADT is 37,500 with 49% large trucks.

The whole distance between I-865 and I-80/I-90 needs 6 lanes. The terrain is fairly level but it is one busy highway!

[ITB]

I make trip once a year to NW Indiana, and use I-70 and I-65 on the leg from Dayton, Ohio.

I tabulated the widening mileage on I-65 Indy to I-80/I-90.

I-65 Segment --------------- Mi. -- Lanes
.................................................................................   
I-865 to N. of IN 47 -------- 18 --- 8 and 6
N. of IN 47 to S. of IN 38  -- 20 --- 4
S. of IN 38 to E 725 N  ----- 13 ---- 6
E 725 N to S. of IN 2 ------- 58 ---- 4
S. of IN 2 to I-80/90 -------- 21 --- 6
TOTAL  --------------------- 130
       
40% or 52 miles is 6 lanes
60% or 78 miles is 4 lanes

I checked the traffic data for the Kankakee River bridge, which is on a 4-lane segment, and the AADT is 37,500 with 49% large trucks.

The whole distance between I-865 and I-80/I-90 needs 6 lanes. The terrain is fairly level but it is one busy highway!

Eventually, all of I-65 will be widened to 6 lanes between I-80/90 and I-865 in Marion County. However, with no further projects planned at this time, it could be 25 or 35 years before it happens. As usual, the core issue is money. Upgrading and adding lanes to 78 miles of interstate is likely to cost upwards of $1.5 billion or, perhaps, even $2 billion. Where is that money going to come from?

The state of Indiana prides itself on being a low-tax state. State legislators are extremely reluctant to hike taxes on anything. Taxes on tobacco products were boosted this year, but at the same time, property tax limits were placed on counties, which could lead to significant reductions in revenue.

The tolling of interstates, which received legislative approval earlier this year, is a potential new revenue stream. However, getting from words on paper to actual toll plaza construction is a long road, strewn with a bevy of obstacles. For instance, just last week Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith came out against the idea. "Call your state reps and state senators and tell them to end this nonsense right now," he said.

If adequate funding can be found, we'll probably see a good number of I-65 and I-70 widening projects in the years ahead. But don't hold your breath.

[NWI_Irish96]

E 725 N to S. of IN 2 ------- 58 ---- 4

The whole distance between I-865 and I-80/I-90 needs 6 lanes. The terrain is fairly level but it is one busy highway!

I agree the entire route needs it, but this segment is the killer. You can get stuck behind trucks for a very long time.

If they could just do IN 14 to US 24 that would be so nice.

[ElishaGOtis]

I make trip once a year to NW Indiana, and use I-70 and I-65 on the leg from Dayton, Ohio.

I tabulated the widening mileage on I-65 Indy to I-80/I-90.

I-65 Segment --------------- Mi. -- Lanes
.................................................................................   
I-865 to N. of IN 47 -------- 18 --- 8 and 6
N. of IN 47 to S. of IN 38  -- 20 --- 4
S. of IN 38 to E 725 N  ----- 13 ---- 6
E 725 N to S. of IN 2 ------- 58 ---- 4
S. of IN 2 to I-80/90 -------- 21 --- 6
TOTAL  --------------------- 130
       
40% or 52 miles is 6 lanes
60% or 78 miles is 4 lanes

I checked the traffic data for the Kankakee River bridge, which is on a 4-lane segment, and the AADT is 37,500 with 49% large trucks.

The whole distance between I-865 and I-80/I-90 needs 6 lanes. The terrain is fairly level but it is one busy highway!

Eventually, all of I-65 will be widened to 6 lanes between I-80/90 and I-865 in Marion County. However, with no further projects planned at this time, it could be 25 or 35 years before it happens. As usual, the core issue is money. Upgrading and adding lanes to 78 miles of interstate is likely to cost upwards of $1.5 billion or, perhaps, even $2 billion. Where is that money going to come from?

The state of Indiana prides itself on being a low-tax state. State legislators are extremely reluctant to hike taxes on anything. Taxes on tobacco products were boosted this year, but at the same time, property tax limits were placed on counties, which could lead to significant reductions in revenue.

The tolling of interstates, which received legislative approval earlier this year, is a potential new revenue stream. However, getting from words on paper to actual toll plaza construction is a long road, strewn with a bevy of obstacles. For instance, just last week Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith came out against the idea. "Call your state reps and state senators and tell them to end this nonsense right now," he said.

If adequate funding can be found, we'll probably see a good number of I-65 and I-70 widening projects in the years ahead. But don't hold your breath.

Have managed/express toll lanes ever been considered with respect to this?

[silverback1065]

I make trip once a year to NW Indiana, and use I-70 and I-65 on the leg from Dayton, Ohio.

I tabulated the widening mileage on I-65 Indy to I-80/I-90.

I-65 Segment --------------- Mi. -- Lanes
.................................................................................   
I-865 to N. of IN 47 -------- 18 --- 8 and 6
N. of IN 47 to S. of IN 38  -- 20 --- 4
S. of IN 38 to E 725 N  ----- 13 ---- 6
E 725 N to S. of IN 2 ------- 58 ---- 4
S. of IN 2 to I-80/90 -------- 21 --- 6
TOTAL  --------------------- 130
       
40% or 52 miles is 6 lanes
60% or 78 miles is 4 lanes

I checked the traffic data for the Kankakee River bridge, which is on a 4-lane segment, and the AADT is 37,500 with 49% large trucks.

The whole distance between I-865 and I-80/I-90 needs 6 lanes. The terrain is fairly level but it is one busy highway!

Eventually, all of I-65 will be widened to 6 lanes between I-80/90 and I-865 in Marion County. However, with no further projects planned at this time, it could be 25 or 35 years before it happens. As usual, the core issue is money. Upgrading and adding lanes to 78 miles of interstate is likely to cost upwards of $1.5 billion or, perhaps, even $2 billion. Where is that money going to come from?

The state of Indiana prides itself on being a low-tax state. State legislators are extremely reluctant to hike taxes on anything. Taxes on tobacco products were boosted this year, but at the same time, property tax limits were placed on counties, which could lead to significant reductions in revenue.

The tolling of interstates, which received legislative approval earlier this year, is a potential new revenue stream. However, getting from words on paper to actual toll plaza construction is a long road, strewn with a bevy of obstacles. For instance, just last week Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith came out against the idea. "Call your state reps and state senators and tell them to end this nonsense right now," he said.

If adequate funding can be found, we'll probably see a good number of I-65 and I-70 widening projects in the years ahead. But don't hold your breath.

It doesn't matter what beckwith thinks, there simply isn't enough money to pay for the roads, there are 2 options. one, raise taxes clearly isn't working. tolling, the other option has proven effective.

[I-55]

E 725 N to S. of IN 2 ------- 58 ---- 4

The whole distance between I-865 and I-80/I-90 needs 6 lanes. The terrain is fairly level but it is one busy highway!

I agree the entire route needs it, but this segment is the killer. You can get stuck behind trucks for a very long time.

If they could just do IN 14 to US 24 that would be so nice.

I imagine INDOT will do something like this for the first stretch north of Lafayette, similar to mm 50-68. Based off traffic counts, the Lebanon-Lafayette and Franklin-Columbus segments will likely happen first, as they have 15-20% higher volumes compared to Lafayette-Lowell. On the portions north of Indianapolis, the low frequency of mainline bridges combined with a good portion already being wide enough to accommodate an additional lane bodes well for widening from a time and cost perspective.

[ITB]

E 725 N to S. of IN 2 ------- 58 ---- 4

The whole distance between I-865 and I-80/I-90 needs 6 lanes. The terrain is fairly level but it is one busy highway!

I agree the entire route needs it, but this segment is the killer. You can get stuck behind trucks for a very long time.

If they could just do IN 14 to US 24 that would be so nice.

I imagine INDOT will do something like this for the first stretch north of Lafayette, similar to mm 50-68. Based off traffic counts, the Lebanon-Lafayette and Franklin-Columbus segments will likely happen first, as they have 15-20% higher volumes compared to Lafayette-Lowell. On the portions north of Indianapolis, the low frequency of mainline bridges combined with a good portion already being wide enough to accommodate an additional lane bodes well for widening from a time and cost perspective.

The section between Lebanon and Lafayette will probably happen first, as that's Indiana new tech corridor. A gleaming, new 6-lane highway would be fitting.

[ITB]

In addition to the widening projects on INDOT's 18-month letting list (current as of June 15, 2025), listed in a prior post, there's a good number of new road and bridge projects on as well.

New Road Construction

• ST-5081 (Schenck Road)    County: Montgomery    Contract: R-42763
  Extension from Big 4 Arch Road to SR 32
  Letting date: 07/09/2025

• ST-3039 (Grant Street)    County: Boone    Contract: R-44250
  [Phase 2] from Indianapolis Avenue (SR 32) to Washington Street
  Letting date: 07/09/2025

• IR-4741 (Bypass of US 52).    County: Hancock.    Contract: R-42755
  Bypass of US 52 on Stinemyer Road
  Letting Date: 12/10/2025

• IR-1012 (CR 17)    County: Elkhart    Contract: R-42006
  From CR 42 to CR 38
  Letting date: 02/11/2026

• IR-1027 (Willowcreek Road)    County: Porter    Contract: R-42413
  From SR 130 to CR 700 N
  Letting date: 07/08/2026

• State Road 11    County: Harrison      Contract: R-42857
  From SR 135/Watson Road to SR 11/SR 337/Melview Road intersection
  Letting date: 07/08/2026

• ST-8824 (Witt Road)    County: Boone    Contract: R-44251
  From Lafayette Avenue to 150 feet north of Austin Drive
  Letting date: 07/08/2026

• IR-2207 (Clark School Road)    County: Johnson    Contract: R-43655
  Between CR 750 E east to the Shelby/Johnson county line in Clark Township
  Letting date: 10/07/2026


New Bridge Construction

• I-64    County: Floyd    Contract: R-42570
  New EB alignment of I-64 EB to I-265 EB Ramp
  Letting date: 11/19/2025

• ST-2350 (Hively Avenue)    County: Elkhart    Contract: B-41845
  East of Main Street, crossing the Norfolk Southern Railway
  Letting date: 01/14/2026

• ST-3038 (North 13th Street)    County: Vigo    Contract: B-41843
  Over CSX Railroad
  Letting date: 03/11/2026

• ST-1042 (8th Avenue)    County: Vigo    Contract: B-41853
  Over CSX in Terre Haute
  Letting date: 03/11/2026

• State Road 11    County: Harrison    Contract: R-42857
  3.15 miles east of SR 135, over Buck Creek
  Letting date: 07/08/2026

• IR-1031 (US 136)    County: Montgomery    Contract: R-45423
  Over Nucor Road
  Letting date: 07/08/2026

• ST-4440 (Arizona Avenue)    County: Lake    Contract: B-41851
  Over Norfork Southern 800 feet E of Parrish, 600 feet N of 173rd in Hammond
  Letting date: 10/07/2026

• ST-1055 (Parrish Avenue)    County: Lake.    Contract: B-41851
  Over Norfork Southern 800 feet E of Parrish, 600 feet N of 173rd in Hammond
  Letting date: 10/07/2026

Please note regarding the last two bridge projects listed that it was impossible to determine which road was referred to. For instance, Parrish Avenue might be ST-1055, or it could be ST-4440. I selected Arizona Avenue as ST-4440, but it could be Parrish Avenue. Got that? Furthermore, the descriptive part didn't make all that much sense. Be that as it may, moving forward is the $32 million project to construct bridges over the Norfolk Southern at Parrish Avenue and Arizona Avenue in Hammond, with letting scheduled to take place in October of 2026. Read more about it here.

[Beltway]

Eventually, all of I-65 will be widened to 6 lanes between I-80/90 and I-865 in Marion County. However, with no further projects planned at this time, it could be 25 or 35 years before it happens. As usual, the core issue is money. Upgrading and adding lanes to 78 miles of interstate is likely to cost upwards of $1.5 billion or, perhaps, even $2 billion. Where is that money going to come from?

Costs have been running higher than that in most states, from $30 million to $50 million per mile.

That would be $2.34 billion to $3.9 billion respectively

The tolling of interstates, which received legislative approval earlier this year, is a potential new revenue stream. However, getting from words on paper to actual toll plaza construction is a long road, strewn with a bevy of obstacles. For instance, just last week Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith came out against the idea. "Call your state reps and state senators and tell them to end this nonsense right now," he said.

While Indiana's new law allows the state to pursue tolling on all its interstate highways, actual implementation still requires federal approval. Specifically, the Indiana Department of Transportation must request waivers from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) before tolls can be imposed on existing interstates.

The law streamlines the process at the state level—no additional legislative approval is needed once the FHWA signs off—but the federal government still holds the gate key. So Indiana has the green light to ask, but it can't start collecting tolls until Washington says yes.

No state has yet implemented tolling on an existing, free-flowing intercity Interstate highway that was originally built with federal funds and intended to remain toll-free. FHWA refuses to allow.

TEA-21 of 1998 authorized tolling an intercity Interstate highway for major widening, with three pilot projects. ==> A few states have explored tolling existing lanes under the Interstate System Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program (ISRRPP), but none have implemented it yet. The political, logistical, and public resistance has been a major barrier.

It was tried on I-81 in Virginia and I-70 in Missouri, from border to border -- but died in the planning stages due to major opposition.

No other states got an authorization for a ISRRPP project.

I think it would be a great idea -- widening here on VA I-81 has been a very slow process with 30 miles completed and 17 miles under construction -- but the whole corridor is 326 miles.

A 1997 study recommended widening all of it to at least six lanes, with 75 miles of eight lane urban segments.

ISRRPP could have had the whole route widened by now -- but it fizzled out.

[ITB]

Eventually, all of I-65 will be widened to 6 lanes between I-80/90 and I-865 in Marion County. However, with no further projects planned at this time, it could be 25 or 35 years before it happens. As usual, the core issue is money. Upgrading and adding lanes to 78 miles of interstate is likely to cost upwards of $1.5 billion or, perhaps, even $2 billion. Where is that money going to come from?

Costs have been running higher than that in most states, from $30 million to $50 million per mile.

That would be $2.34 billion to $3.9 billion respectively.

It wouldn't surprise me at all to see costs bump over $30 million a mile. I went with $20 and $25 million per mile because it's a rural area, most of the country roads cross over I-65, rather than the other way around, and there's no major river crossings, and just a few creeks. To be sure, with rising costs and ever increasing design standards, upgrading and widening 78 miles of I-65, no matter how you cut it, will be pricey.

 

[Beltway]

It wouldn't surprise me at all to see costs bump over $30 million a mile. I went with $20 and $25 million because it's a rural area, most of the county roads cross over I-65, rather than the other way around, and there's no major river crossings, just few creeks. To be sure, with rising costs and ever increasing design standards, upgrading and widening I-65, no matter how you cut it, will be pricey.

Our I-64 GAP Widening is in fairly level terrain and in a rural area and with only 4 pairs of mainline bridge widenings and there's no major river crossings, just few creeks.

28 miles of 6-lane widening at $587 million which is $20.9 million per mile average. All under construction now.

[thenetwork]

I make trip once a year to NW Indiana, and use I-70 and I-65 on the leg from Dayton, Ohio.

I tabulated the widening mileage on I-65 Indy to I-80/I-90.

I-65 Segment --------------- Mi. -- Lanes
.................................................................................   
I-865 to N. of IN 47 -------- 18 --- 8 and 6
N. of IN 47 to S. of IN 38  -- 20 --- 4
S. of IN 38 to E 725 N  ----- 13 ---- 6
E 725 N to S. of IN 2 ------- 58 ---- 4
S. of IN 2 to I-80/90 -------- 21 --- 6
TOTAL  --------------------- 130
       
40% or 52 miles is 6 lanes
60% or 78 miles is 4 lanes

I checked the traffic data for the Kankakee River bridge, which is on a 4-lane segment, and the AADT is 37,500 with 49% large trucks.

The whole distance between I-865 and I-80/I-90 needs 6 lanes. The terrain is fairly level but it is one busy highway!

Eventually, all of I-65 will be widened to 6 lanes between I-80/90 and I-865 in Marion County. However, with no further projects planned at this time, it could be 25 or 35 years before it happens. As usual, the core issue is money. Upgrading and adding lanes to 78 miles of interstate is likely to cost upwards of $1.5 billion or, perhaps, even $2 billion. Where is that money going to come from?

The state of Indiana prides itself on being a low-tax state. State legislators are extremely reluctant to hike taxes on anything. Taxes on tobacco products were boosted this year, but at the same time, property tax limits were placed on counties, which could lead to significant reductions in revenue.

The tolling of interstates, which received legislative approval earlier this year, is a potential new revenue stream. However, getting from words on paper to actual toll plaza construction is a long road, strewn with a bevy of obstacles. For instance, just last week Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith came out against the idea. "Call your state reps and state senators and tell them to end this nonsense right now," he said.

If adequate funding can be found, we'll probably see a good number of I-65 and I-70 widening projects in the years ahead. But don't hold your breath.

Okay, I bwlieve Indiana has some of the cheapest license & registration costs for large truck fleets.  That's why many of these national trucking companies will have at minimum a small office somewhere in Indana  only to process, pay and send out license plates to their fleet depots all around the country so they can get the cheaper in state plate fees.

And since fleets of large trucks put the most wear and tear on not only Indiana's roads, but every other state's as well, how much more can Indiana charge for fleet plates while still keeping the lion's share of the business nationwide? 

I'm sure they can raise a decent amount of revenue if they just charge more to license the large fleet vehicles, no?

[ITB]

I make trip once a year to NW Indiana, and use I-70 and I-65 on the leg from Dayton, Ohio.

I tabulated the widening mileage on I-65 Indy to I-80/I-90.

I-65 Segment --------------- Mi. -- Lanes
.................................................................................   
I-865 to N. of IN 47 -------- 18 --- 8 and 6
N. of IN 47 to S. of IN 38  -- 20 --- 4
S. of IN 38 to E 725 N  ----- 13 ---- 6
E 725 N to S. of IN 2 ------- 58 ---- 4
S. of IN 2 to I-80/90 -------- 21 --- 6
TOTAL  --------------------- 130
       
40% or 52 miles is 6 lanes
60% or 78 miles is 4 lanes

I checked the traffic data for the Kankakee River bridge, which is on a 4-lane segment, and the AADT is 37,500 with 49% large trucks.

The whole distance between I-865 and I-80/I-90 needs 6 lanes. The terrain is fairly level but it is one busy highway!

Eventually, all of I-65 will be widened to 6 lanes between I-80/90 and I-865 in Marion County. However, with no further projects planned at this time, it could be 25 or 35 years before it happens. As usual, the core issue is money. Upgrading and adding lanes to 78 miles of interstate is likely to cost upwards of $1.5 billion or, perhaps, even $2 billion. Where is that money going to come from?

The state of Indiana prides itself on being a low-tax state. State legislators are extremely reluctant to hike taxes on anything. Taxes on tobacco products were boosted this year, but at the same time, property tax limits were placed on counties, which could lead to significant reductions in revenue.

The tolling of interstates, which received legislative approval earlier this year, is a potential new revenue stream. However, getting from words on paper to actual toll plaza construction is a long road, strewn with a bevy of obstacles. For instance, just last week Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith came out against the idea. "Call your state reps and state senators and tell them to end this nonsense right now," he said.

If adequate funding can be found, we'll probably see a good number of I-65 and I-70 widening projects in the years ahead. But don't hold your breath.

Okay, I bwlieve Indiana has some of the cheapest license & registration costs for large truck fleets.  That's why many of these national trucking companies will have at minimum a small office somewhere in Indana  only to process, pay and send out license plates to their fleet depots all around the country so they can get the cheaper in state plate fees.

And since fleets of large trucks put the most wear and tear on not only Indiana's roads, but every other state's as well, how much more can Indiana charge for fleet plates while still keeping the lion's share of the business nationwide? 

I'm sure they can raise a decent amount of revenue if they just charge more to license the large fleet vehicles, no?

Well, yes, that would likely raise a decent amount of revenue. In Indiana, however, controlled as it is by a supermajority of Republican legislators, even broaching the topic of tax and fee hikes is almost verboten. All the more so on any business-related taxes and fees. The state is very keen on economic development and the creation of jobs. Anything that detracts from that is a no-go. If a Republican state legislator dares to even hint at a business tax or fee increase, others in the party would look upon that individual as if they had a hole in their head.   

To bring in some additional revenue, the legislature this year, with the governor's support, increased taxes on tobacco products. The last time they did that was in 2007, 18 years ago. Let that sink in a moment: 18 years. Getting fuel taxes boosted a few years back wasn't easily accomplished, too. Somehow they were able to get the tax indexed to inflation, so each year the gas tax usually ticks up a penny. It's now 36 cents a gallon.

Last week a justice on Indiana's Supreme Court openly questioned whether schools, fire departments, and other county government offices would be able to stay open if the state's new restrictive property tax law was expansively applied.

For the most part, the only tax talk among Republican legislators in Indiana about is cutting them. Some are even in favor of abolishing the state income tax. Earlier this year the governor, Mike Braun, proposed phasing out the state's tax on retirement income.

This sums up the climate for taxes and fees in Indiana.