I-65 widening OK'd by legislative oversight panel

Republican Gov. Mike Pence last week announced the plan to add a lane in both directions to relieve congestion and increase safety along the 15-mile stretch of I-65. The expressway already has three or more lanes in each direction north of U.S. 30.

State transportation officials explained to the Legislature's spending oversight panel that the I-65 contractor will be selected next year through a "best value" design-build process that could allow for widening to continue south of Ind. 2 to Ind. 10 in Jasper County.

A similar procurement process recently used for an Indianapolis-area expressway expansion got the state about $120 million of highway for just $80 million, officials said.

Funding for the I-65 project was included in the two-year state budget approved by the Republican-controlled General Assembly in April.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2017.