Pence explores I-69 partnership

Ind. Gov.-elect Mike Pence is looking at public-private partnerships to complete Indiana’s 142-mile  Interstate 69 extension.

The first 67 miles of the highway opened in November 2012 from Evansville to Crane, Ind., and section four is set to open by the end of 2014.

In December, the Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Michael Cline asked contractors to propose ways they might play a greater role in completing I-69.

Will Wingfield, media relations for the Indiana Department of Transportation, said INDOT is requesting ideas from the private sector to reduce the overall construction cost and development of the project to expedite the process.

Wingfield said INDOT involves the private sector by utilizing consultants and contractors to design and build the project.

“You can bundle multiple types of work together so that the work can take place concurrently instead of consecutively,” Wingfield said.

Sen. Mark Stoops, D-Bloomington, said he does not favor the I-69 project.

“I’m not sure that road would have efficient use for a private investor,” Stoops said. “That would mean tolling opportunities.”

Stoops said he does not think INDOT is up-to-date with repairs.

“INDOT is probably a billion dollars behind in emergency repairs, road repairs and maintenance,” Stoops said.

Wingfield said if the partnership is pursued, it will be used to reduce the cost and expedite the construction process of section five from Bloomington to Martinsville.

He said INDOT is not exploring tolling opportunities for the interstate.

“We want to make it clear we are not exploring tolling options for I-69,” he said.
“Tolling is not an option for I-69.”

Stoops said areas will have to be demolished in order to make room for the extension.

“There’s an area of Monroe County they will have to blast 800 feet deep by 300 feet wide,” he said.

He said the extension of I-69 will be more suited for local commuters, adding that trucking companies would choose different routes.

Wingfield said the I-69 project has an unprecedented number of environmental commitments.

“Great care has been taken to identify and avoid impacts to underground water features known as karst and the habitat of the Indiana brown bat among other environment, historical and archaeological features,” Wingfield said.

Stoops said there are safety concerns pertaining to the extension project.

I-69 section four is scheduled to open at the end of 2014. Section five is currently in the environmental period in order to finalize the environmental impact state and record of decision.

“INDOT’s commitment is to mitigate the impacts of traffic on existing State Road 37 for the citizens of Bloomington,” Wingfield said.