INDIANAPOLIS -- After some confusion between the Indiana governor's office and Bloomington city officials over when Section 5 of I-69 would be completed, it appears an answer has been nailed down: 2018.
Indiana Finance Authority and the Indiana Department of Transportation say they've signed an agreementwith the developer that states I-69 in Bloomington will be completed by May 31, 2018.
According to the new schedule:
- Two northbound lanes and two southbound lanes will be open by Aug. 15, 2017
- Four lanes will be open from Sample Road to Martinsville for student move-in and home football and basketball games beginning Aug. 15, 2017
- The section north of Sample Road to Martinsville also will open to four lanes of traffic continuously no later than March 31, 2018
- Section 5 will be completed by May 31, 2018
“I directed the IFA to work thoroughly and decisively with the developer to resolve outstanding issues and set a firm completion date for I-69 Section 5, and this MOU reflects their efforts,” Governor Eric Holcomb said. “We all want this project completed as quickly as possible.”
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The contractor for the project, Isolux Corsan, will put another $75 million into the construction and forgo the first annual payment the company would've received.
The state will make $28 million available to the developer this year and in 2018. The arrangement will not cost the state any extra money.
In order for the agreement to be legally binding, I-69 Development Partners’ bondholders must approve the arrangement.
In January, Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton said he was "exceedingly frustrated" with the process.
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"A major delay being disclosed in a small meeting is not how government should operate,” he said at the time. “Just yesterday two more people were injured in a construction zone crash. None of the partners in this project will take responsibility for the ongoing problem that this project has become for the thousands of people who rely on this transportation corridor every day. Hoosier residents and travelers are dealing with avoidable delays, inconvenience, and safety risks.
