U.S. traffic deaths dropped slightly in 2022, but remain high
Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities increased, as did the number of deaths involving unbelted passengers, alcohol-impaired driving, speeding and trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds.
Interstates/Highways
Articles
Feds provide $2M to study reconnecting Indy neighborhoods fragmented by inner loop
The original Indianapolis inner loop construction in the 1970s displaced 17,000 people and destroyed more than 8,000 businesses and homes, according to the Department of Transportation.
Some truckers want higher speed limits; key lawmakers reluctant
Two legislators are seeking to eliminate the lower speed limit for heavy trucks on rural interstates and highways, but their proposals appear to be another chapter in more than 30 years of fruitless efforts on behalf of independent truckers.
Indiana bill to increase semi truck speed limits faces tough road ahead
Five prior proposals to eliminate the lower speed limit for trucks have been filed in the House since 2017 without success.
Eastbound Interstate 70 set to reopen through North Split, INDOT says
Westbound lanes of I-70 through the North Split aren’t expected to reopen to motorists until the end of January, weather permitting.
U.S. study: More than half of car crash victims had drugs in system
Although the study authors say the results can’t be used to gauge drug use on the roads nationwide, they say the high number of drivers, passengers and other road users with drugs in their systems is concerning.
IBJ Podcast: Indianapolis, suburbs banding together to seek more state funding for local roads
In a conversation with host Mason King, IBJ reporter Peter Blanchard discusses the state formula and the potential that legislators would be receptive to funding charges.
Indiana plans 100 EV fast-charging stations on major roads
About 40 stations, including roughly a dozen in the Indianapolis area, will be partially funded through Indiana’s $100 million portion of the $1 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed last November.
State plans new I-65 exit near Boone County’s innovation district
INDOT wants to build an interchange at West County Road 300 North that would serve the planned 7,000-acre LEAP Innovation and Research District.
New road-safety chief: Agency to scrutinize auto-driver technology
Any new regulations the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration might impose would fill what critics say is an urgent need to address the growing use of driver-assistance systems on U.S. roads.
2022 Innovation Issue: Growth of EVs has government, private companies scrambling to develop charging infrastructure
Indiana transportation and energy leaders, driven by millions of dollars in federal, state and private funding, are advancing a spate of new initiatives to bulk up the state’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Nearly 43,000 people died on U.S. roads last year, agency says
The 10.5% jump over 2020 numbers was the largest percentage increase since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began its fatality data collection system in 1975.
INDOT selects preferred route of planned Mid-States Corridor
State officials have chosen the “Alternative P” route over several other options as the preferred route of a proposed highway that would run from the Ohio River to Interstate 69, linking small southern Indiana communities to I-69.
State lawmakers table IndyGo Blue Line amendment
The House Ways and Means Committee on Monday tabled an amendment that would have conditioned the removal of some public transportation funding requirements on compliance with new lane minimums—which would’ve involved budget-busting redesign and land acquisition over several miles of the proposed 24-mile route.
Winter storm updates: State COVID clinics to be closed Friday | Duke Energy warns of widespread power outages | Museums closed Thursday
Winter weather continued to hit central Indiana and much of the state on Thursday. Keep up with the latest here.
New I-69 section reopens in central Indiana
The northbound lanes of I-69 through Martinsville were opened Monday morning following a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The southbound lanes are expected open later in the week.
New Interstate 69 section could open in December
State highway officials expect to open a new section of the Interstate 69 extension project between Indianapolis and Bloomington by the end of the year.
Local companies eye big opportunities in federal infrastructure package
The $1.2 trillion law could be a boon for huge corporations like Cummins Inc. and Allison Transmission Inc. and smaller ones like Telamon Corp., 120Water Inc. and BCA Environmental Consultants LLC.
Indiana to land $8.8 billion from U.S. infrastructure bill
One Indiana project likely to be expedited as a result is widening interstates 65 and 70 to six lanes the full length and breadth of the state.
Indiana Avenue advocates say interstate plans key to revitalization
Groups that hope to see revitalization in the Indiana Avenue neighborhood are paying close attention to how future interstate construction projects will affect the area.