Federal government gives final approval for I-69 from Crane to Bloomington

Federal transportation officials have given the final approval to start construction on Section Four of I-69, which runs from Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center to State Road 37 just south of Bloomington.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced that construction would begin on Section Four sometime this fall. Construction has already started on Sections One, Two and Three. A mile-long section of I-69 is already open near Evansville.

In what is called a final environmental impact statement, federal transportation officials outlined a detailed map of where I-69 will be constructed and the potential environmental impact the route could have on the area.

Michael Cline, commissioner of the state transportation department, said in a statement that the department already has the money to pay for Section Four. He also said that the state is on track to have I-69 completed from Evansville to Bloomington by 2014. The final part of the process will involve improving State Road 37 from Bloomington to Indianapolis.