INDOT Picks Indiana 37 Corridor For Martinsvile To Indy Leg Of I-69 Extension

UPDATED 3:00 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Department of Transportation announced Tuesday afternoon that it will recommend the Interstate 69 extension between Martinsville and Indianapolis follow State Road 37.

“Building I-69 from Martinsville to Indianapolis using State Road 37 is the logical choice,” Commissioner Brandye Hendrickson said. “This route offers the strongest opportunities for economic growth, most significant safety improvements, and greatest reduction in congestion of all route alternatives evaluated."

INDOT says an analysis of the route determined that using State Road 37 would:

• Improve safety
• Shorten travel times between Martinsville and Indianapolis
• Increase wages in four-county area by $1.7 billion over 20 years
• Increase gross domestic product in four-county area by $2.4 billion over 20 years

A state report also said nearly 280 residences and 96 businesses between Martinsville and Indianapolis would need to be relocated if a route following Indiana 37 is chosen.

The public will have a chance to offer additional input on the route recomendation during two meetings next week -- at Perry Meridian High School on Monday, April 4 and Martinsville High School on Tuesday, April 5.

Doors for both meetings will open at 6 p.m. for an open house session in the gymnasium. It will be an opportunity to ask questions and view displays regarding the route recommendation and potential locations of exits and access roads. Each open house will be followed with a formal presentation and public-comment session in the school auditorium at 7 p.m.

INDOT says it anticipates making a final recommendation for public input in 2017 with proposed locations for highway lanes, exits and access roads.

See a map of the recommended route

Our earlier post

MARTINSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Indiana state highway officials are scheduled to discuss potential routes being considered for the final leg of the Interstate 69 between Martinsville and Indianapolis.

The Indiana Department of Transportation has scheduled a news conference for Tuesday afternoon in Martinsville to discuss the reduced number of routes being considered.

Five proposed routes had been under consideration and some landowners were concerned they would lose portions of their properties. A state report said nearly 280 residences and 96 businesses between Martinsville and Indianapolis would need to be relocated if a route following Indiana 37 is chosen.

State highway Commissioner Brandye Hendrickson is scheduled to attend along with economic development executives and local mayors.

A final recommendation isn't expected until 2017.

This story will be updated