INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 16, 2021) – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) invites the public to watch a short video update released today for the I-69 Finish Line project in Marion County. The video highlights progress made this year, shares design refinements and looks ahead to 2022.
I-69 Finish Line includes eight miles of I-465 and I-69 upgrades to about four miles of State Road 37 in Marion County.
Construction update
I-69 construction began in Marion County this year with an early focus on the installation of new utility lines to avoid potential conflicts. The start of road and bridge construction followed the utility improvements.
A new local connector road is now open west of S.R. 37 between Wicker Road and Glenns Valley Lane, and crews expect to shift S.R. 37 traffic to new pavement and bridges between Belmont Avenue and Fairview Road in 2022. Motorists should expect to see continued I-69 construction all along the existing State Road 37 in 2022, including new interchanges at County Line Road and Southport Road.
I-465 improvements
Work along and above I-465 will minimize daytime traffic impacts during the North Split closure of I-65 and I-70 in downtown Indianapolis.
Keystone Avenue is expected to reopen the week of Dec. 20-24 following replacement of the bridge over I-465. The Carson Avenue, Madison Avenue, Mann Road and Mooresville Road Bypass overpasses will be replaced in phases throughout 2022 to minimize local detours.
Where the new I-69 meets I-465, a large utility line is being installed and large amounts of material will be moved and compacted for the future interchange ramps.
Design refinements
In Marion County, the contractor is responsible for completing the final design and has made some refinements to the construction plans:
- Epler Avenue will go over I-69 instead of under the interstate.
- Belmont Avenue will be realigned west of I-69 instead of closed between Epler Avenue and Edgewood Avenue.
- Edgewood Avenue will close permanently with construction of a cul-de-sac east of I-69.
- The shared-use path along County Line Road has shifted to the north side of the road and a sidewalk was added along the south side.
- A raised median will prevent County Line Road from making left turns between I-69 and Morris Road.
Construction of these improvements will require closures of Belmont Avenue and Epler Avenue for part of 2022.
New resources on project website
New resources have been added to the I-69 Finish Line project website. The color-coded Construction Start Maps have been revised with the latest schedule information to illustrate when construction will begin at various locations along the project.
Another color-coded map has been added to illustrate the pavement surface (concrete vs. asphalt) when construction is completed. The I-69 Finish Line project is using a combination of asphalt and concrete pavements depending on local soil conditions, drainage and other factors.
Visual enhancements and landscaping are included in I-69 Finish Line construction, and updated renderings have been added to the Project Documents webpage. The project team coordinated with local officials to customize designs for each county and ensure ongoing maintenance.
Morgan and Johnson County updates
Significant I-69 construction is expected in Marion and Johnson counties throughout 2022 while the finishing touches will be completed for the new I-69 in Morgan County. Video updates for Johnson and Marion counties are expected early next year. Follow I-69 Finish Line on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and check the I69FinishLine.com for project news and updates.
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About I-69 Finish Line
I-69 Finish Line is the sixth and final section of the Interstate 69 connection between Evansville and Indianapolis. The project will upgrade the existing S.R. 37 to interstate standards between Martinsville and Indianapolis.
Governor Eric Holcomb’s Next Level Connections program fully funded the project and accelerated construction by three years. I-69 Finish Line is expected to open to traffic in late 2024, improving safety and reducing travel time.
