(UNDATED) – The I-69 Finish Line project will have a unique look in Martinsville, and it’s been a group effort. Area residents on the Martinsville Aesthetics Task Force, city officials, and the public weighed in on monuments that will serve as gateways for the city of Martinsville at the State Road 39 and State Road 44 interchanges. Input was also received regarding enhancements for the bridges, barrier walls,, and retaining walls being built.
Those enhancements include an illuminated “M” at Grand Valley Boulevard, an “M” incorporated into the bridge, decorative railing, energy-efficient decorative lighting, and more.
The overpasses and barrier walls include brick and limestone textures that are unique to the southern portion of the I-69 corridor. The design elements will be featured on the Grand Valley Boulevard, Ohio Street, S.R. 252/Hospital Drive, and S.R. 44/Reuben Drive bridges. The colors and patterns for the retaining walls and bridge barriers used in Martinsville will continue north into Morgan County.
You’re starting to see the results of the earlier collaboration. The Grand Valley Boulevard overpass, which is expected to open this month, offers the first opportunity to see some of the aesthetic renderings come to life. Click here to see photos of the work underway at Grand Valley.
- Crews plan to build a crossover this week along southbound State Road 37 near State Road 39. Crews will be laying temporary pavement to allow traffic to cross the grassy medians. To allow the work to happen, traffic will merge into the inside or left lane of southbound S.R. 37. That’s expected to happen on or after Wednesday.
- Work on the crossover should be complete next week and that will lead to another big traffic shift. Only the current northbound side of S.R. 37 will be in use, carrying one lane of traffic in each direction. The new configuration will mean width restrictions will be in place on S.R. 37 between Liberty Church Road and just north of S.R. 39.
- All concrete pours have been completed for the new Grand Valley Boulevard overpass and crews are working on finishing touches. Painting continues, railing is being installed and striping will need to be complete before the overpass can safely open to motorists and pedestrians. S.R. 37 lane shifts and closures are possible in the area.
- Crews are adding a double-left turn lane from eastbound S.R. 144 to northbound S.R. 37. Expect possible lane restrictions over the next couple of weeks.
- As traffic patterns change, you can sign up for e-mail and text alerts to make sure you’re always up to date. You can review our Progress Guide for an overview of the work underway and traffic changes in place.
- Expect overnight closures this week at the S.R. 39 interchange at S.R. 37. On Tuesday night, Rogers Road is scheduled to close at the median crossover between northbound and southbound S.R. 39/Morton Avenue. Each night Wednesday through Friday, one or both of the ramps connecting S.R. 39/Morton Avenue and northbound 37 is scheduled to close for pavement patching.
- Perry Road will be closing north of Perry Lane. The closure is expected to happen late this week or next week. Lincoln Road will use temporary access to S.R. 37 that is currently being built. Motorists wanting to use southbound S.R. 37 are encouraged to use caution and make a U-turn at Big Bend Road.
- Watch for a temporary closure of Mahalasville Road south of S.R. 37. The closure is expected to start early next week and last about five days. Drivers will use Burton Lane and Southview Road to access Mahalasville Road and the Grand Valley Shoppes from the west.
- Crews remain busy on S.R. 39 from S.R. 37 to S.R. 67, where portions of the roadway are being widened to four lanes. Drivers will continue to see changing traffic patterns, the closure of side streets, and temporary access points for businesses in the area.
- Daily lane closures are possible from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at S.R. 37 near Egbert Road, Henderson Ford Road, Perry Road, and Waverly Road. New bridges are being built at these locations.