I-69 Delays Causing More Bloomington Traffic Problems
I-69 is set to eventually stretch from the southwest to the northeast corners of the state.
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowConstruction to complete section 5 of I-69 will take longer than expected and impact students returning to Indiana University. The "substantial completion" date for the stretch was August 31, but Indiana Department of Transportation officials now say, despite an accelerated schedule of 16-hour work days and six-day work weeks, the work will last for several more weeks.
INDOT says the construction will pose challenges for drivers in and around Bloomington through the end of the year, which affects move-in week at IU. This week, two northbound and two southbound lanes are open to traffic on SR 37 from south of Fullerton Pike to a point between Sample Road and Chambers Pike. Traffic will remain with only one lane, northbound and southbound, from south of Chambers Pike to Indian Creek. Officials say even when four lanes are open, the speed limit will be restricted to 45 mph.
“After years of continuing delays, we were hoping for better news from INDOT,” said Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton. “We would have hoped for the substantial completion by August 31, which we learned last week will not be accomplished. But our road-weary community deserves — at least — a realistic expectation of when I-69 will be fully functional, with the reduced travel times the Interstate’s proponents promised. We will expect and share regular progress reports from the state as they put the finishing touches on Section 5.”
INDOT officials also say lane restrictions on the Second and Third Street overpasses could cause delays as crews pour and finish concrete median islands. Signal equipment improvements are expected to affect traffic at those interchanges through mid-October. Drainage work, lighting, guardrail installation and landscaping work will continue through the end of the year. The ramp repair project at SR 46/SR 37 is also expected to cause delays starting in mid-September. Traffic could be limited to one lane for two months, with work expected to be completed next year. The ramp repair will cause INDOT to coordinate with IU Athletics during the football season to ensure safe traffic patterns during home games.
More information on I-69 section 5 construction can be found here.