I-69 Finish Line, also known as I-69 Section 6, is the sixth and final section of the Interstate 69 connection between Evansville and Indianapolis. It begins in Martinsville and ends at I-465 in Indianapolis. The I-69 Finish Line project promises to reduce commute times from Martinsville to Indianapolis by 11 minutes.

About the I-69 Construction Project in Indiana

Construction first began on the I-69 project to connect Evansville to Indianapolis in 2008 although the end goal, a continuous route from the Texas-Mexico line to Canada, was first planned in the 1940s. INDOT plans to finish the sixth and final section linking the two metropole in 2024 after sixteen years with a total cost of $4 billion. The final piece of Indiana’s I-69 puzzle promises an additional 26 miles of interstate highway, 8 miles of wider lanes on I-465, more than 35 lane-miles of new local access roads, along with the rehabilitation and replacement of dozens of bridges along the route. In 2024, Hoosiers can expect to be impacted by I-69’s construction in the following ways:

• I-69/I-465 system interchange opening to traffic
• Completion of aesthetics and landscaping in Johnson Co
• Completion of Southport Rd. interchange area
• Completion of mainline I-69 pavement north of Southport Rd
• I-465 and Harding St. interchange open to traffic
• Installation of tree plantings and landscaping along I-65 in Marion Co
• All new travel lanes on I-465 between I-70 and I-65
• I-465 WB bridge over White River
• Installation of noise barriers along I-60 and I-465
• I-69 designation from SR 144 to I-465

I-69 Construction Planned Road Closures

Additionally, planned road closures for 2024 will affect Hoosiers throughout Marion, Johnson, and Morgan counties such as:

• US 31 (East St.) SB to I-465WB is closed until spring 2024
• Expect a single lane closure just north of Stotts Creek and continuing for two miles on I-69 northbound through May 2024 for embankment work.

• I-69 SB exit and entrance ramps at 82^nd closed until December 2024
• I-465 EB entrance ramp closed at Allisonville Rd. until March 2025
• I-69 alternating lane closures near mile marker 83 for bridge construction until May 2024
  • The truck speed limit will be set at 60mph.
• I-465 between the I-46/70 interchange to the I-465/65 interchange until November 2025
  • The truck speed limit will be set at 45mph.
• I-65 NB entrance ramp at Binford Blvd. to I-65 WB closed until Oct. 2024
• I-69 NB exit ramp at 82^nd, closed until Sept. 2024

I-69 Construction Zone Crashes

Indiana is ranked 4^th worst work zone safety in the US with 114 fatal work zone crashes from 2017 to 2021. Indiana’s work zone fatal crash rate was 124% higher than the national average. In 2023, 33 people were killed and 1,750 were injured in work zone collisions.

The Indiana I-69 construction zone project has claimed many lives due to driver negligence. Some of the crashes that have occurred on this highway throughout its construction include:

• A driver who was on probation for drug charges was speeding when he struck and killed two INDOT workers picking up cones on the I-69 project in Marion. He was later sentenced to 7 years in prison.
• Camels and Zebras were released on to the northbound lanes of Interstate 69 in Grant County, Indiana after a semi-trailer hauling circus animals crashed and caught fire due to equipment failure.
• A driver with a BAC of .188 was speeding at over 100 mph when they rear-ended another vehicle leading to a four car pile up on I-69 in Evansville.
• A distracted semi driver died after rear-ending another semi driver who was stopped in traffic due to a backup caused by construction in Delaware County.

Indiana Construction Zone Laws

Indiana Construction Zone Speeding Laws – Indiana also imposes a $300 first-time citation for drivers speeding in a work zone. For the second ticket for speeding in a work zone a driver will receive a $500 citation and a $1000 citation for the third.

• Indiana HB 1015 – In 2024, Governor Eric Holcomb signed into law HB 1015, which allows for the utilization of highway speed cameras in work zones across the state. The cameras will be used to ticket speeding drivers in work zones. Drivers will not be fined the first time they are caught speeding in a work zone. Their second time speeding in a work zone drivers will face a fine of $75 and a $150 fine each subsequent time.

Reckless or Aggressive Driving Indiana Construction Zone Laws – Drivers caught driving recklessly or aggressively in an Indiana construction zone face fines of up to $5,000.

Indiana Injuring or Killing a Highway Worker Law – Drivers who injure or kill a Indiana highway worker may face fines of up to $10,000 along with a possible jail sentence of up to 6 years.

Why are Indiana Construction Zones so Dangerous?

Construction zones’ layout can change daily. There can be many unforeseen hazards and obstacles on the road in work zones.

Indiana I-69 Work Zone Common Collision Types

1. Rear-end crashes are the most common type of collisions in Indiana which commonly occur when traffic is backed up in the work zone and a driver is either following too closely behind a vehicle and does not have time to stop or by inattentive, impaired, or drowsy drivers who fail to react to the hazard, causing them to drive directly into the car in front of them.
2. Sideswipe crashes are more frequently caused by drivers who fail to maintain their lanes whether caused by inattention to road signage, drifting out of a lane looking at a cell phone, or by failure to check blind spots before merging or changing lanes.
3. Head-on crashes in construction zones are often caused by inattentive drivers who fail to obey road signage with dedicated lane changes or by impaired drivers who enter the wrong side of the highway.
4. Roadway departure crashes are most commonly single vehicle crashes that are often caused by distracted, impaired, or drowsy drivers who fail to react to an obstacle in the roadway until the last second, causing them to swerve off the road.

Road Construction Increases the Risk of a Collision with a Semi-Truck

Semi-trucks are involved in 44% of Indiana’s fatal work zone accidents, although semi-trucks represent only 10% of total automobiles on the road. Why is this?

Semi-trucks are much more difficult to navigate than regular automobiles. It takes over 50% longer to stop a semi-truck at highway speeds than cars. When traffic is backed up in a construction zone, if a semi driver does not react quickly enough, then the semi driver will rear-end the vehicle ahead of them.

Cars also can get lost in a semi-truck’s blind spot in construction zones. Normally, semis have a blind spot, or “No-zone” that can extend up to three lanes on the right side of the large truck. Unless a semi driver remains constantly vigilant, and repeatedly checks their mirrors, a car can easily disappear inside a semi driver’s blind spot. This is especially easy in construction zones where lanes are much narrower, and semis can drift out of the center of the lane.

 

Tips to Stay Safe in Indiana Construction Zones

Slow Down

• Speeding is the number one cause of fatal work zone crashes. It takes just one more minute to travel through a two-mile work zone at 45mph than 65mph. Always follow the posted speed limit in construction zones. In Indiana, usually that speed limit is 45 mph for work zones on the highway. Do not return to the regular speed limit until you see a sign stating the road work has ended.

Follow Posted Signage

• Make sure to merge as soon as you safely can when you see that your lane will close ahead. Waiting until the last second to merge increases the risk of a collision.
• Be prepared to stop when you see a sign that shows a flagger is ahead.

Don’t Tailgate

• Make sure to follow a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you. Give yourself enough space to have time to react if the car in front of you suddenly brakes. The National Safety Council recommends at least a 3 second minimum following distance in ideal road conditions for an average sized automobile. You should increase the minimum following distance in a work zone as hazards are more likely to appear on the road.
• However, if you are driving a large truck or towing a trailer for speeds under 40mph the FMCSA recommends at least one second for every 10 ft of vehicle length (approximately 4 seconds for an average length commercial motor vehicle) and an additional second for speeds over 40 mph in ideal road conditions. They recommend doubling a big truck’s following distance in adverse conditions.

Don’t get Distracted.

• A University of Utah study found that when drivers use cell phones on the road, their reaction time is more impaired than drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of .08, the legal point of intoxication. Your full attention should be on the road, especially in construction zones where signage and detours may change daily. Do not use a cell phone or participate in any other sort of distraction while driving, including:
• Avoid eating and drinking-
• Avoid putting on makeup or other grooming activities
• Do NOT set or change your GPS while driving
• Avoid adjusting the radio or climate controls.
• NEVER wear headphones while driving!
• Avoid Daydreaming and keep your thoughts on the road only.
• Avoid engaging in heated discussions or arguments with passengers
• Avoid smoking
• Avoid talking on a hands-free device
  • Although most people believe that hands-free devices are safer, research indicates that both handheld and hands-free cell phones contribute to similar levels of impairment in driving performance, with drivers using hands-free phones missing up to 50% of their driving environment.
• As a general rule, keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel, and your mind at attention. Avoid anything that might distract you visually, manually, or cognitively from driving.

Be Patient

• If you can, plan ahead, and avoid the construction zone. If you can’t avoid the work zone, make sure that you leave early to allow for extra time in case there are delays. Remain calm and don’t get frustrated. Frustration leads to aggressive, impulsive driving, which increases the likelihood of a work zone accident.

Don’t Drive Drowsy

• Make sure that you are fully rested by getting at least 7 hours of sleep before getting on the road. Do not drive if you have been awake for longer than 20 hours. Sleep deprivation results in increased reaction time and impaired judgement to the same level that a driving with a BAC of .08 causes. 

Don’t Drive Impaired

• While the legal point of intoxication is .08, negative effects like slowed reaction time and performance errors occur after just one drink. If you are worried you might be impaired, then you probably are. Call a cab or an Uber to prevent a terrible accident.
• Also, do not drive on any prescription or over-the-counter medication that may result in drowsiness. Check the prescription bottle for any warnings or ask your doctor about possible side effects like drowsiness before you drive. Just because you are prescribed a medication, or it is available over the counter does not mean that you are safe to drive after taking a medication.
• Do not drive while under the influence of marijuana, even if you are prescribed it. Marijuana results in slower reaction times, which means you might not be able to react quickly enough if the car in front of you suddenly brakes.

Call our I-69 Construction Accident Attorneys Today

If you or a loved one were injured after an Indiana Work Zone accident, call the experienced Indiana construction zone lawyers at Craig, Kelley, & Faultless. You may be entitled to claim compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and any other losses suffered. Our construction zone accident attorneys have dedicated their careers to helping victims of negligent car and truck drivers recover compensation for their injuries.

Call Craig, Kelley, & Faultless at (800)-746-0226 or fill out our online form to get a no-cost consultation for your case.      

About the Author

David W. Craig sits on the Board of Regents of the ATAA (which requires the board certification in truck accident law). He is the managing partner, as well as one of the founding partners of the law firm of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is also recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families, written to help victims and their families as they navigate through a terrible situation and answers the host of questions that come after a tragic wreck. He is also the host of the podcast, After the Crash where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow Indiana law safety protocol on roads regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.