INDIANA — Contract two of the I-69 Finish Line project was named the top road project by Roads & Bridges Magazine earlier this week. The publication announces an exclusive list of the top ten road projects and top ten bridge projects in the U.S. each year. Projects are selected from a highly-competitive pool of submissions from Departments of Transportation and other entities across the country.
“Earlier this year Indiana was named number one in infrastructure, and now having a number one road project in the nation makes that accomplishment shine even brighter,” said Governor Eric Holcomb. “Completing the connection through Martinsville was a huge step toward reaching the I-69 Finish Line. I commend INDOT and the project team on this achievement.”
The second of five construction contracts on the Finish Line project opened to traffic in December 2021 following a nearly year-long closure of S.R. 37 in Martinsville. Stretching six miles from S.R. 39 to just north of S.R. 44, the contract upgraded what was previously S.R. 37 to I-69, including eleven new bridges and construction of interchanges at S.R. 39 and Ohio Street, and a combined interchange at S.R. 44 and S.R. 252.
The Roads & Bridges announcement highlights the crucial coordination and communication that took place with local officials, surrounding businesses, and emergency responders before, during, and after the closure in Martinsville. Closing S.R. 37 saved approximately one year of construction on the project and created safer conditions for both workers and motorists.
“This distinction is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the project team, and countless others involved in making what was once a dream of expanding I-69 a reality,” said INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith. “This contract specifically is a prime example of how great teamwork, coordination, and communication create a successful project. We can’t thank the City of Martinsville and the local community enough for their patience and support throughout this process.”
The article mentions the sense of community that was factored into the project through the use of carefully-selected brick to match the Morgan County Courthouse, located in Martinsville, and gateway monuments placed at either end of the city that resemble the courthouse clock tower.
Construction continues on the I-69 Finish Line project, which is approximately 60 percent complete corridor-wide, and scheduled to open in late 2024 between Martinsville and I-465 in Indianapolis.
The lead designer on contract two of I-69 Finish Line is HNTB Corporation; the contractor is Walsh Construction. To learn more about the project, visit i69finishline.com.
