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Hamilton County I-69 widening will reduce lanes

Associated Press
April 23, 2012
Keywords
Commuting, I-69, Interstates/Highways, Street Improvements, Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
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Commuters using busy Interstate 69 through Hamilton County can expect more headaches soon.

Indiana Department of Transportation spokesman Nathan Riggs told The Indianapolis Star that a project to widen I-69 at the 116th Street/Indiana 37 interchange in Fishers will restrict traffic to two lanes in both directions beginning in June. It also will cut the northbound I-69 ramp to the interchange to a single lane.

Overnight restrictions will begin Wednesday and last between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. daily.

Work on northbound lanes is due to wrap up in November. Work on southbound lanes begins next year.

INDOT says about 70,000 cars travel I-69 in each direction every day, much of it going into and leaving Indianapolis. Average daily traffic on Indiana 37 is 27,000 vehicles.

IBJ detailed the work planned for the 116th Street interchange in a July 16 story.

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  • Read This to answer some questions.
    JoeApril 25, 2012 8:20 AM
    http://placeshakers.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/infrastructure-deficit-disorder/
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  • When will it stop...
    Public transit supporterApril 24, 2012 5:19 PM
    Central Indiana will never be convinced we need a better public/mass transit system until MORE traffic jams are created. Improvement and widing of existing roads only makes it easier for people to drive. Unless driving is made more difficult and time-consuming, especially in the suburbs, there will be no incentive to create more densely-populated areas and develop more mass transit. Why can't all the time and money spent widing all these interstates be shifted to a forward-thinking mass transit system?
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • The real issue
    JoeApril 24, 2012 3:11 PM
    The issue isn't timing, but the dinasour mindset that we must widen roads to reduce congestion. ALL studies show that widening a road actually induces more traffic. It should also be noted that it is in the best interest of INDOT and other road businesses to provide a level of service at or below a 'C' so they always have work. As long as we continue to invest exclusively in single auto based transit, we will be plagued with traffic and congestion and unsustainable costs.
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  • To Joe
    SandyRApril 24, 2012 2:08 PM
    The real problem is the total lack of long range planning in this region. That a city and region our size doesn't have viable public transportation is unbelievable. That the freeway system is so under-developed that work like that being planned for this summer becomes a major headache for absolutely everybody; for some it'll affect them everyday for others only periodically. What tends to happen is that instead of gradual spending and improvements over a long period of time, we get stuck with huge costs periodically just in an attempt to keep up with population growth.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Construction project timing
    Stranded in NoblesvilleApril 24, 2012 1:36 PM
    As a regular I-69 commuter I am glad something is finally being done to address worsening traffic on this congested corridor. But I have to wonder why it is timed to begin at the same time that two of the most critical alternate routes (US31 and Allisonville Road) are both under construction as well. This leaves only Keystone as the main artery from Hamilton to Marion counties. I shudder to think what a nightmare this route will become while other projects are underway. Does anyone consider these things when planning the timing of major construction projects?
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • Bottomless pot of gold.....
    JoeApril 24, 2012 8:19 AM
    I've lost track of how much money I spend every year to subsidize commuter habits out to the north....has anyone kept a tab?
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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