New Routes Proposed For I-69

In 2004, an environmental impact study identified State Road 37 between Martinsville and Indianapolis as the best route for the sixth section of the Interstate 69 extension.

Since then, a lot has changed. A series of public meetings, coordination with government agencies, environmental and traffic analyses have prompted the Indiana Department of Transportation to consider other routes.

INDOT Spokesman Will Wingfield says community feedback has shaped 13 new options that are now being considered for the last leg.

"There are lines in this map that were not drawn by anybody at INDOT or our project team, they were drawn by the public, so I think in terms of the significance public input can play into the project-that demonstrates it," says Wingfield.

Wingfield says the department wants to meet project goals like improving connectivity and supporting economic growth while minimizing the environmental impact. Another round of public meetings is being held this week to detail the proposed routes and emphasize the need for the project.

New legislation passed this session gives INDOT authority to make the final decision which could be presented in early 2017.

In southwestern Indiana, the first three legs are open. Two more are under construction and slated to open later this year. I-69 has been identified as a key future corridor that will connect Canada to Mexico and help increase trade.