INDOT: I-69 Work on Schedule

April 17, 2012

News Release

Bloomfield, Ind. -- Local officials, business owners and members of the public joined representatives from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) in celebrating the start of construction activities in Section 4 of the I-69 Project. Section 4 runs from U.S. 231 near Crane NSWC to S.R. 37 south of Bloomington. Two mainline construction contracts in Section 4 have been awarded to date.

Crider & Crider, Inc. began work in January on the first segment of Section 4. It is approximately 4.6-mile portion of roadway from the U.S. 231 interchange to Taylor Ridge Road. Milestone Contractors, L.P. also began work in January on approximately 4.7-miles of roadway. Milestone’s contract includes segments 4, 5 and 6A. It stretches from S.R. 45 to Carmichael Road in Greene County. The project also includes an intersection improvement at the S.R. 445/S.R. 45 intersection near the Crossroads Restaurant. A map showing contract locations for Section 4 can be found at the I-69 Project Website at the following link: http://www.i69indyevn.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Section-4_Completion-Percentage02.pdf.

The remaining four mainline construction contracts for Section 4 are slated to be let by the fall of this year. INDOT remains on pace to meet Governor Daniels’ aggressive construction schedule calling for the interstate to be open to traffic from Evansville to Bloomington by the end of 2014. “By the end of this year we will have completed nearly 67 miles of interstate highway. An additional 27 miles will also be under construction this year.” said INDOT Deputy Commissioner of Major Program Management, Samuel Sarvis. “It is exciting to know residents of southwest Indiana are only a few short years from having a quality four-lane divided Interstate to Bloomington.”

Sarvis went on to say, “While we are excited to see earth being moved in Section 4, we are not resting yet. There is much more work left ahead of us before the I-69 extension from Evansville to Indianapolis is completed to interstate standards.”

More than 50 people attended today’s ceremony held at the intersection of S.R. 45 and S.R. 54 just a few miles northwest of the new interstate. Multiple speakers touted the many benefits I-69 has provided to date and will provide in the future. Future development opportunities related to an improved transportation network was also a common theme. “I-69 will improve the ability for our 5,000+ employees, contract partners, customers & stakeholders to safely transit to and from Crane daily,” said Crane NSWC Director of Engagement Donald Schulte. “It provides potential for improved efficiencies in material movement external to the base and opens opportunities to enhance regional commerce that can help the base execute its mission."

Source: Indiana Department of Transportation