JOHNSON COUNTY, Ind. – Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Smith was joined by I-69 Finish Line project team members and contracting partners, as well as federal, state and local officials Friday afternoon to officially open the Smith Valley Road interchange at State Road 37/future I-69 in Johnson County.
“I use this interchange regularly and I think I speak for many Johnson County residents when I say how exciting it is to have all movements open to traffic, especially as we approach the holiday season” said INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith. “The fact that it’s open six months ahead of schedule is a testament to the hard work and dedication put forth by our contractors and the larger project team.”
The interchange partially opened in August with the southbound entrance and exit ramps, followed by the northbound exit ramp earlier this week and northbound entrance ramp today. In conjunction with the opening, the last of 14 traffic signals within the I-69 corridor between Martinsville and Indianapolis was removed overnight Thursday at Fairview Road. The removal creates a free flow condition from Evansville to just south of I-465.
INDOT has worked with a number of local entities and officials as construction has progressed along the I-69 Finish Line corridor.
“The White River Township Fire Department is honored to have a close working relationship with INDOT,” said White River Township Fire Chief Jeremy Pell. “We have worked hand-in-hand to ensure the I-69 project continues through our fire district in a safe and efficient manner. Ultimately, the people living and traveling through Johnson County are seeing the benefits of a modern, safe way to travel within our community.”
Mainline traffic is on new pavement up to Smith Valley and will be officially shielded as I-69 next year. Construction will continue in various stages along the I-69 Finish Line corridor up to the system interchange at I-465. The entire corridor is on schedule to open to traffic by the end of 2024.
I-69 Finish Line Progress By the Numbers
- 14 traffic signals removed along I-69 Finish Line corridor
- More than 385,000 cubic yards of concrete poured along the corridor in 2023, totaling 38,000 truck loads
- Over 50,000 tons of asphalt laid in 2023
- Over 500,000 construction labor hours invested in 2023
- As many as 7,000 men and women working to deliver I-69 Finish Line during peak summer months
Johnson County By the Numbers
- 14 new bridges constructed on mainline S.R. 37/future I-69 and interchanges
- Two new interchanges constructed – S.R. 144 (opened late 2022) and Smith Valley Road
- More than 4,000 linear feet of noise barrier constructed
