$85 million in contracts awarded for first phase of Accelerate 465(posted July 2) Work begins soon on westside to rebuild 38th Street interchange, 46th Street bridge The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has awarded $85 million in contracts to widen and upgrade Interstate 465 between West 56th Street and I-74. This work is the first phase of the Accelerate 465 project that will transform I-465 on the westside as part of Governor Mitch Daniels’ Major Moves highway program. Milestone Contractors of Columbus has been awarded a $74.8 million contract to widen the mainline lanes of I-465 and upgrade the 38th Street interchange. Weddle Brothers Highway Group of Bloomington bid $10.6 million to replace the 34th and 46th Street bridges so they can accommodate more lanes of I-465 traffic below. This work will take place in phases over two years to minimize impact on the motoring public. To expedite the construction schedule, daytime traffic restrictions will begin later this month. Weddle Brothers plans to close West 46th Street on or after Monday, July 16 for approximately five months of work on the I-465 bridge. West 38th Street will be shifted to the north between High School Road and Shore Drive so Milestone can rebuild the southern section, including portions of the bridge over I-465. As one of the first segments of I-465 ever built, the eleven miles of interstate between West 56th Street and S.R. 67 (Kentucky Avenue) cannot handle existing traffic volumes at peak periods. Accelerate 465 will add lanes to I-465 and reconfigure interchanges to promote the free-flow movement of traffic, along with pedestrian crossings, noise barriers and other improvements that will benefit nearby westside residents. Major Moves, Gov. Mitch Daniels’ highway construction plan, capitalizes on Indiana’s strategic location at the Crossroads of America by building a superior road infrastructure. When complete in 2015, nearly $12 billion in critical highway projects will have been built. This innovative plan will bring jobs to the Hoosier State and leave a legacy for Indiana to be a global leader in distribution and logistics. The public can learn more about Accelerate 465 by visiting the project website at www.accelerate465.in.gov or by calling the HNTB public outreach office at 317.917.5315. INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION News Release |
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