On Friday, Governor Eric Holcomb announced three major infrastructure projects in southern Indiana. The state will spend $475 million on the “transformational” projects, which includes the construction of Indiana’s approach to the I-69 Ohio River Crossing near Evansville, major improvements to U.S. 231 in Dubois and Martin counties, and an extension of State Road 101 to the Ohio River in the southeastern part of the state.
In an interview with Inside Indiana Business, INDOT Commissioner Joe McGuinness said in addition to improving safety, the projects will create wide-ranging economic benefits down the road, particularly with the SR 101 project.
“We are looking at…what is that return on investment?” said McGuinness. “Obviously, safety is our number one goal and responsibility, but what is the long-term return on that investment? So, if we’re investing millions of dollars into these projects, where do we see that there’s some long-term growth going to be within our local economy and [we] see some opportunities really within that southeast region of the state.”
The state will invest $75 million for the design and construction of additional travel lanes, passing lanes and intersection improvements at specific locations along a 48-mile stretch of U.S. 231 between I-64 and I-69. The governor’s office says the improvements will “significantly reduce” congestion in the Jasper and Huntingburg areas.
Construction is expected to begin by late 2022.
INDOT also plans to begin designing the state’s approach to the I-69 Ohio River Crossing, a project that has been in the works in partnership with the state of Kentucky since 2016. The state will invest $200 million in the project, which includes an interchange with the existing I-69 and Veterans Memorial Parkway, as well as a new, 1.5-mile portion of I-69 approaching the river.
Construction on the Ohio River Crossing project is slated to begin in 2024.
