Interstate 69 construction has entered territory we thought at one time we might never see. The state announced on Monday that it had finalized a contract with a private developer for the highway between Bloomington and Martinsville. Imagine that! A plan for moving I-69 as far north as Martinsville is on the table.
From there, I-69 would advance into Indianapolis, a step we here in deep Southern Indiana thought might never be taken, given the opposition to the interstate highway, first from Bloomington, and then from the state capital.
But on Monday, the state of Indiana said construction of the Bloomington to Martinsville stretch could begin later this year, with the road scheduled to be opened by the end of 2016. That means that by the end of 2016, motorists could be driving all the way from Evansville to Martinsville. Currently the new interstate highway is open from Evansville to Crane, while the fourth section of I-69 from Crane to Bloomington will open in phases from late this year to 2015.
The big announcement on Monday was that the long-term contract with a private developer, I-69 Development Partners, will design, build and finance the Bloomington to Martinsville roadway, rebuilding Indiana 37 up to interstate standards.
The developer would oversee the operation and maintenance of the 21-mile stretch for 35 years. The state will pay an $80 million down-payment to the developer to help cover the $325 million construction. When completed, the state will pay $21.8 million to the developer yearly for 35 years for maintenance.
It is a strategy not unlike the Major Moves private arrangement that former Gov. Mitch Daniels used to finance the Evansville to Crane stretch. Without that approach, Southern Indiana motorists might still be using two-lane, often dangerous highways for major motoring between Evansville, Crane and Bloomington.