Roads of the Mid-South & West > Highways of the State of Indiana > Interstate 69, Indiana
Interstate 69 is a north-south interstate currently running from Indianapolis north to Michigan, via Fort Wayne. This highway has been called the NAFTA highway, because if completed it would run from Mexico to Canada. Currently the roads runs from Canada to Indianapolis.
In January, 2003 the late govenor of Indiana announced plans to build a 140-mile extention of I-69 through Southwest Indiana. This would link the states third largest city, Evansville, with Indianapolis. It would also spur economic growth. Rep. John Hostettler, R-Southern Indiana, told the AP that he hopes that decion on a route in Indiana will build momentum for the project in other states.
On February 12, 2003, the path across the Ohio River was choosen. Interstate 69 will use most of the existing Interstate 164. Plans call for a 11,700 feet elevated six-lane bridge across the Indiana flood plain and a 2,200 feet bridge over the Ohio River. This route is the prefered alternate to a western by-pass around Evansville.
The Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen's Association has joined with three environmental groups to oppose the path of I-69 through Southwestern Indiana. The state environmental impact statement states that 1,150 acres of forest land will be destroyed.
The Republican gubernatorial candidate Eric Miller has stated his opistion against the choosen path of I-69. He favors the path using Interstate 70 and U.S. Rt. 41. The Indiana State Route 37 and Indiana State Route 57 path would pull traffic away from Terre Haute, according to Miller.
INDOT says that I-69 will significantly improve local traffic flow between Evansville and Henderson, KY. The U.S. Rt. 41 twin bridges can handle 50,00 motorists each day. If mis-haps happen on either of the spans, traffic between the two cities is at a complete stand still. The 13-miles of new highways between the two cities would bring great benifit, even if I-69 is not built.
In Evansville, Indiana Govenor Joe Kernan announced the Federal Highway Administration has approved the state's chosen sorridor for the extendtion of I-69 from Indianapolis to Evansville. The extention will cut across Southwestern Indiana, via Bloomington, Washington, and Petersburg. The govener hopes to have the highway open in eight to 14 years. Plans for this route date back to the mid-1940's it was part of the Eisenhower Interstate Sytem in the 1950's and then never finished. The approved corridor would follow Indiana State Route 37 from Indianapolis to Bloomington and the over new terrain to Evansville.**
While in Indiana, I-69 is multi-plexed.
I-69 is multi-plexed with...
...Indiana State Route 37, from Indianapolis to near Fishers.
...U.S. Rt. 35, from near Gaston to near Gas City.
...U.S. Rt. 33, around Fort Wayne.
...U.S. Rt. 24, around Fort Wayne.
...U.S. Rt. 30, around Fort Wayne.
...Indiana State Route 1, near Fort Wayne.
In Indiana, Interstate 69 crosses the following interstates.
Interstate 465, at Indianapolis.
Interstate 469, at Fort Wayne.
Interstate 469, at Fort Wayne.
Interstate 80, (Indiana East-West Toll Road) near Jamestown.
Interstate 90, (Indiana East-West Toll Road) near Jamestown.
A BGS on NB I-69.
Another BGS on NB I-69.
A BGS at the gore point on NB I-69.
Branches of I-69 in Indiana.
A maker on WB I-80/90/IN Toll Road.
SB I-69 near I-465 in Indianapolis.
Southern end marker for the highway.
**Daily Journal; Kankakee, Illinois Monday, December 2nd, 2002.
**The Pantagraph; Bloomington-Normal, Illinois Friday, January 10th, 2003.
**Evansville Courier-Press; Evansville, Indiana Thursday, February 12th, 2004; Friday, February 13th, 2004; Tuesday, February 17th, 2004
**Indianapolis Star; Indianapolis, Indiana Wednesday, March 31st, 2004
5 November 2008
