Indiana DOT: I-69 extension should open by year's end

Construction started this spring on the 27-mile stretch of I-69 from near the naval center to Indiana 37 south of Bloomington. The highway agency is working on design plans for the highway roughly following Indiana 37 from Bloomington to Indianapolis, but no timeline has been set for building it.

The Associated Press

7/18/2012

WASHINGTON, Ind. — Work is progressing fast enough on the first major stretch of the Interstate 69 extension though southwestern Indiana that state highway department officials are confident that contractors will meet the target of having it open by the end of this year.

Construction is under way on a nearly 70-mile stretch of the highway's route from near Evansville to just outside the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center, southwest of Bloomington.

"Every contractor has recommitted to us that their portion of I-69 is going to be done by the end of 2012," Indiana Department of Transportation spokeswoman Cher Elliott told the Washington Times-Herald for a story Wednesday. "We feel very confident we will hit that target."

Most of the $600 million section is 50 percent to 75 percent completed, Elliott said.

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The long dry spell this spring and summer has led to few weather delays for the contractors, although Elliott said the agency will have to talk with water providers if the drought continues because of the large amount of water needed for the highway's concrete.

A key part of the southern section nearing completion is the bridge over the White River East Fork about 40 miles north of Evansville. The bridge is listed as 90 percent finished and concrete is expected to cross its entire span within two weeks.

Washington-based INDOT supervisor Tom Brummett said he asked to be involved with building the bridge.

"I wanted to build it right," Brummett said. "It's in our backyard and I wanted to see it done correctly."

Kevin Jones of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at kevinj@thetrucker.com.

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