By Alex Brown, Multimedia Journalist
4 January 2016
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Transportation says more than $1 billion was invested in various road and bridge projects in 2015. The state says it also gave more than $220 million to support local transportation projects.
INDOT says funds from Governor Mike Pence’s Major Moves 2020 program allowed for aggressive investment to improve traffic flow, reduce travel time and enhance the condition of existing pavement and bridges. Some of the work led to 459 bridges being rehabilitated or replaced in 2015.
“I want to thank the INDOT team for their dedication to modernizing and maintaining Indiana’s transportation network,” said Governor Mike Pence. “In 2015, we took significant steps forward in enhancing our highway system with the opening of a new section of I-69 in Southwest Indiana and the opening of the U.S. 31 freeway in Hamilton County among other projects. At the same time, we continued to invest in preserving bridges and improving pavement conditions all across the state.”
Pence added he is committed to securing additional funding for state and local roads and bridges in 2016. Last month, Pence announced plans for $124 million in road improvements to State Road 37 in Hamilton County with construction expected to begin in 2018.
Last year saw the opening of a new section of the I-69 extension connecting Bloomington to Crane. It also saw the opening of the new U.S. 31 in Hamilton County which, combined with other completed U.S. 31 projects, reduced travel time between Indianapolis and South Bend by 30 minutes, according to INDOT.
INDOT added 1,720 miles of existing pavement was rehabilitated and 180 miles new of road were opened to traffic in 2015.