Indiana lawmakers urge officials to learn from I-69 mistakes

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Some Indiana lawmakers have told state officials they must be more diligent in overseeing deals such as the failed partnership with a private developer for a long-delayed section of the Interstate 69 extension.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Luke Kenley says the state failed to see that the company running the project didn’t have the financial capability to complete it. He says the state should consider the bidder’s credibility and past track record, not just the bid price.

Work on the 21-mile section between Bloomington and Martinsville has stalled amid financial troubles for privately run I-69 Development Partners and contractor Isolux Corsan. Construction started in 2014 with an October 2016 completion deadline. The company was to build and maintain the highway for 35 years under its state contract. The state is now taking over the project.