Last January, the Indiana Department of Transportation began the final push in its I-69 Finish Line project – converting State Road 37 north of Martinsville into an interstate highway that will eventually connect with I-465 in Indianapolis.

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.

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

The Indiana Department of Transportation wants to close the stretch of State Road 37 for one construction season in order to expedite I-69 construction.

Bloomington's mayor says at least one subcontractor walked off the job Friday because of an ongoing pay dispute.

The state estimates it may need to buy up to 279 homes and 96 businesses to complete the Intestate 69 extension.

INDOT Commissioner Brandye Hendrickson says State Road 37 option "produces the best return on investment for Indiana taxpayers."

The Indiana Department of Transportation says a third lane will be added to both the highway's northbound and southbound lanes for about 15 miles from the Indiana 37 interchange in Fishers to the Indiana 38 interchange near Pendleton.