IT’S OPEN! The first cars have driven across the new Grand Valley Boulevard overpass and the first pedestrians have tried out the new sidewalks. The new overpass opened this morning. It connects Martinsville High School and neighborhoods west of State Road 37 with businesses east of the highway.
This is a milestone for I-69 Finish Line. The Grand Valley overpass is the first of 39 new I-69 bridges to open. Watch this short video to see what Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe McGuinness has to say about the big moment and how the new Grand Valley overpass stands as a tribute to Martinsville.
When you cross the new overpass, here are some facts to keep in mind. Be sure to click the links to check out the photos, too!
- The bridge is 372 feet long.
- The bridge includes 1,500 cubic yards of concrete.
- The very visible “M” on the bridge is a nod to nearby Martinsville High School.
- The brick on the MSE walls pays homage to downtown Martinsville, matching the Morgan County Courthouse brick.
- The aesthetics of the pier “fin walls” tie into the fence details and resemble artesian wells as a tribute to the mineral wells in the area.
All of the I-69 project work is carefully coordinated. Grand Valley was the first overpass constructed because it will serve as an important east-west connection during I-69 work at other access points.
- Demolition work is underway and crews are starting to rebuild the southbound lanes of S.R.37 between S.R. 39 and Liberty Church Road. The Indian Creek bridge has been demolished. The new lanes will be in use during next year’s temporary closure of S.R. 37 between S.R. 39 and Morgan Street. Traffic shifted last week. The right lane is exit only onto S.R. 39/Morton Avenue and S.R. 37 is reduced to one lane past the exit. This phase of work and traffic configuration will last a few months.
- The stop signs east of Artesian Avenue have been removed. You’ll find 2-way stops instead of a 4-way stop near Walmart and the shopping center. The update should help keep traffic moving in the area.
- A left turn lane has been added on northbound S.R. 67 at Crosby Road. The turn lane is another improvement to help safely move traffic during next year’s temporary closure of S.R. 37.
- Crews are ramping up work on S.R. 37 and drivers should stay alert and slow down. Drivers moving through the construction at Perry Road need to be aware of the work underway near Whiteland Road. A 45 mph speed limit extends from the south end of the I-69 Finish Line project at Indian Creek to Waverly Road.
- Perry Road closed early last week between Perry Lane and S.R. 37. Traffic is detoured over New Harmony Road and Cragen Road to S.R. 37. A temporary access point connects Lincoln Road with S.R. 37. Lincoln Road traffic wanting to travel south on S.R. 37 is encouraged to use caution and make a U-turn at Big Bend Road.
- Watch for crews working at night this week at Henderson Ford Road and Whiteland Road. Trucks will be carrying fill material on Henderson Ford Road north of S.R. 37 and trucks will be traveling across S.R. 37 at Whiteland Road. Portable lights will be set up in the area.
- Expect daily single lane closures between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on S.R. 37 near Egbert Road, Perry Road and Waverly Road where new bridges are being constructed.
- Traffic is scheduled to be stopped on S.R. 37 to remove overhead power lines at four different locations – Cragen Road, Egbert Road, New Harmony Road and Perry Road. The closures will be short term (5-10 minutes) with the work tentatively scheduled for Thursday, June 18.
- The temporary closure of Mahalasville Road south of S.R. 37 won’t happen until later this month and will last about five days. Drivers will use Burton Lane and Southview Road to access Mahalasville Road from the west. Watch for updates here.
- The new traffic signal at S.R. 144 at Mann Road/Centenary Road is expected to be activated in the coming weeks. As a reminder, the new signals on S.R. 37 at Banta Road and S.R. 144 at Old S.R. 37/N. Waverly Park won’t be in use until they’re needed to help safely move traffic during construction closures.
Reminder: The project office is closed temporarily, but you can call or email with any questions, 855-INDOT-4U and INDOT@indot.in.gov.
About I-69 Finish Line
I-69 Finish Line is the sixth and final section of the Interstate 69 connection between Evansville and Indianapolis. The project will upgrade the existing State Road 37 to interstate standards between Martinsville and Indianapolis.
Governor Eric Holcomb’s Next Level Connections program fully funded the $1.5 billion project and accelerated construction by three years. I-69 Finish Line is expected to open to traffic in late 2024, improving safety and reducing travel time.
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