HNTB assisted the Indiana Department of Transportation in achieving a 75-year goal to upgrade State Road 37 to interstate highway standards. The 142-mile corridor’s final 26-mile segment, branded the I-69 Finish Line, now connects Martinsville, Indiana and Indianapolis.

HNTB provided preliminary design and the environmental impact statement for the northernmost 26 miles. This final stretch of the I-69 project is expected to generate approximately $4.1 billion in economic benefits and jobs for the state over the next 20 years. Since opening to traffic, the newest segment has improved safety, increased mobility and enhanced quality of life.

HNTB served in several capacities:

• Communication manager for all five construction contracts
• Lead designer for contracts 1 and 2
• Manager of corridor-wide utilities and hydraulics; subconsultant providing expertise in communications, utilities and hydraulics for contracts 3 and 4
• Design oversight of 8 miles of added travel lanes on I-465
• Technical procurement advisor and construction inspection lead for contract 5, which includes three interchanges in an urbanized area, including a new interchange at I-465 and I-69

The I-69 Finish Line spans a three-county area. Aligning all communities and ensuring equitable impacts and mitigation were critical to the project’s success. HNTB collaborated with INDOT to develop and implement a successful and transparent public involvement program.