The preferred route of a proposed highway that would run from the Ohio River to Interstate 69 in southern Indiana is expected to be announced late this year.

Leaders in the Evansville area say they're expecting action in the coming year toward the construction of an Interstate 69 bridge over the Ohio River between Indiana and Kentucky.

State Road 37 in Martinsville will be closed from the 39 interchange to Morgan Street through at least the end of 2021, as crews work on the final stretch of Interstate 69.

Officials say closing a six-mile section of Indiana 37 will allow the work to be finished in one construction season rather than two.

Officials with the Indiana Department of Transportation say the years-long push to connect Indiana north to south via Interstate 69 is on schedule to open to traffic in 2024.

Construction will begin soon on the final section of the Interstate 69 project that began more than 10 years ago to connect Evansville to Indianapolis.

This week's meetings will give the public an overview of the Mid-States Corridor Project and explain the road's purpose.

The problematic stretch of highway extends between mile markers 219 in Pendleton and 234 in Daleville.

The recommendation by the I-69 Ohio River Crossing Project Team calls for tearing down one bridge.

Initial work on the highway's final 26 miles to Interstate 465 in Indianapolis is planned through Martinsville outside the current Indiana 37 lanes.