INDIANA – The I-69 Finish Line project invites the public to watch project update videos to track progress and next steps in Johnson and Morgan counties. The two short videos offer an update on the progress made in 2021 and a look ahead to construction this year.
I-69 Finish Line is the sixth and final section of the Interstate 69 connection between Indianapolis and Evansville. It upgrades 26 miles of State Road 37 to the new Interstate 69 from Martinsville to Indianapolis.
Finishing touches in Morgan County
Last year began with the closure of State Road 37 through Martinsville for the faster and safer construction of I-69 in Morgan County. The full closure saved a full year of construction in the area.
Five stoplights and nearly two dozen intersections were removed and replaced with four interchanges, improving safety and travel times. Governor Eric Holcomb was on hand at the end of 2021 to cut the ribbon on 17 miles of free-flow highway.
This year, expect to see crews applying the finishing touches in Morgan County. This includes the final layer of dark asphalt pavement, permanent striping, signage, railings, grass plantings, and drainage work.
The speed limit is reduced to 45 miles per hour north of Martinsville for ongoing construction, including two new overpasses at Myra Lane and Teeters Road. They will connect with the Morgan Street extension along the west side of I-69, which is expected to open by early fall.
Starting this spring, reduced speed limits and temporary ramp closures will allow crews to complete I-69 construction in Martinsville, including:
- The S.R. 39/Morton Avenue roundabout at Rogers Road and the I-69 southbound ramps
- Remaining painting of retaining walls and noise barriers in Martinsville
- The S.R. 252 roundabout at Cramertown Loop and replacement of a nearby drainage structure
- The improved Ruth Rusie Way entrance into Artesian Square from Ohio Street
I-69 construction in Johnson County
In Johnson County, the I-69 Finish Line project upgrades nearly six miles of the S.R. 37 corridor for the new interstate and local access roads. Construction continues to connect and realign local roads along the future I-69.
Five sections of local access roads were completed in 2021 and construction of two other sections began. When completed later this year, access roads west of the future I-69 will extend from Wicker Road in Marion County to State Road 144 in Johnson County.
Crews spent most of last year completing temporary paving along S.R. 37, which allows traffic to share one side of the road north of S.R. 144. During construction of the new I-69 pavement and bridges, S.R. 37 traffic in Johnson County will remain open to four lanes – two in each direction – with nighttime and off-peak lane closures.
Construction continues for three interchanges that touch Johnson County – State Road 144, Smith Valley Road, and County Line Road. The Fairview Road and Banta Road traffic signals will remain operational during the construction of nearby interchanges to provide local access to SR 37.
Marion County Project Update
To learn more about the progress and work in Marion County this year, you can view the project update shared late last year on the INDOT Photos & Videos page.
I-69 Finish Line is on track to open from Martinsville to Indianapolis to traffic by the end of 2024. Governor Holcomb’s Next Level Connections program fully funded the project and accelerated construction by three years.
