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I-69 Groundbreaking Takes Place Amongst Protest

Last updated on Thursday, July 17, 2008

(EVANSVILLE) - Thousands of supporters of the I-69 extension project cheered Wednesday at the private Evansville celebration of the long-awaited groundbreaking.

The ceremony coincided with the start of actual construction several miles away. Contractors hired by the Indiana Department of Transportation closed part of Indiana 68 in Gibson County to make way for building the initial 1.77-mile segment of the new interstate. It will extend north from the existing Interstate 64 just west of Indiana 57.

Protesters demonstrated outside the building. Evansville police had the centre and surrounding parking lot under tight security in light of alleged vandalism and veiled threats against the I-69 project.

Governor Mitch Daniels attended the celebration. Daniels said final completion of I-69 from Evansville to Indianapolis would benefit the entire state, not just Southwestern Indiana.

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