Now that 2 miles of the I-69 expansion are complete, I can already envision the day when the road extends all the way to Indianapolis and beyond. Before my first drive up I-69 can be complete a lot more construction must take place. In speaking with Sandra Flum from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to find out how the project is coming I found out some important information I want to pass along. Here is the most recent update: The I-69 expansion from Evansville to the Crane Navel Surface Warfare Center is still on schedule to be completed by the end of 2012. This part of the interstate has been broken down into three sections. Section 1 is a 13 miles stretch from Evansville to Oakland City. The first two miles from I-64 to State Road (SR) 68 is complete and being driven on. Another two mile stretch from SR 68 to the Pigeon Creek Bridges is currently under construction. Finally, the construction on the Pigeon Creek Bridges has just started. Section 2 is a 29 mile stretch from Oakland City to Washington. No construction has begun here. The first contract will be awarded in August with the rest of the Section 2 contracts being awarded every two months after. Construction work will begin almost immediately after each contract is awarded. Section 3 is a 25 mile stretch from Washington to Crane. There are three county road bridges under contract and construction on those should begin any day. On April 29, bids will open for an eight mile road project just north of U.S. 50 in Washington and moving further north to Crane. Dirt should begin moving in the next few months. By the end of the summer, Flum encourages residents to take a scenic county drive to check out the county road bridge construction. Flum also said the contracts for each construction phase has and will continue to be open bidding. Many contractors are expressing interest in bidding. The increased competition is good for the taxpayer and the work is good for Indiana's economy. The construction companies have been given two years to complete their construction. Weather plays a role in the construction process therefore as a safeguard they count on two seasons in which they get most of their work done. INDOT is committed to staying on track and they will be watching the weather very closely. Look for another update on the I-69 expansion later this summer. |
