Ground Broken on I-65 Expansion

(photo courtesy INDOT)

Governor Eric Holcomb  helped break ground Friday on the $62 million I-65 expansion in northwest Indiana. Pre-construction work on the project, which covers a 13-mile stretch in Newton and Lake counties, is underway, with the main construction work scheduled to begin in June.

The Indiana Department of Transportation says the project, which is part of the Major Moves 2020 initiative, will improve traffic flow and add capacity. The project will run between State Road 2 and U.S.30.

"Projects like this I-65 expansion in Lake and Newton counties do more than ease morning commutes; they help our state move at the speed of our 21st century economy," said Holcomb. "With a new long-term plan to fund transportation, Indiana can pursue more investments in our roads, bridges and other infrastructure to improve the lives of Hoosiers and make our state a jobs magnet."

The project includes constructing a new shoulder and restriping the existing lanes from U.S. 231 to just south of U.S. 30. Additionally, the outside shoulder and existing lanes will be resurfaced with a third lane and inside shoulder being constructed just south of State Road 2 to U.S. 231. 

INDOT will also replace the dual northbound and southbound bridges over the Kankakee River. Rehab and resurfacing work will also be done on various other bridges throughout the stretch of interstate.

State Representative Ed Soliday (R-4) and INDOT Commissioner Joe McGuinness were also on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony. McGuinness says, "Adding new travel lanes and upgrading existing infrastructure on I-65 in northwest Indiana will greatly improve the user experience for motorists who travel this busy corridor."

You can find more information on the project by clicking here.