I-69 in Martinsville opens to through traffic in both directions

Local Sources – Traffic is now flowing in both directions on the new I-69 in Martinsville. I-69 Finish Line contractors opened 17 miles of free-flow highway to southbound traffic on Thursday afternoon ahead of holiday travels.

This follows Governor Eric J. Holcomb joining local officials to mark the opening to northbound traffic on Monday. Watch a short video with highlights from the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

State Road 37 was closed nearly one year ago for faster, safer construction in Martinsville. The closure saved nearly a full year of construction. These five miles in Martinsville are now signed I-69 with a 65 mph speed limit.

Construction of I-69 in Morgan County will finish in 2022. Typical finishing touches include the final layer of asphalt pavement, permanent pavement markings, signage, railings, grass plantings and drainage work.

North of Martinsville, the speed limit is reduced to 45 mph for ongoing construction, including new overpasses at Teeters Road and Myra Lane. Until the overpasses are completed, Martinsville First United Methodist Church and Ozark Fisheries traffic will turn right into and right out of temporary driveways. Rumble strips prompt drivers to stay alert and merge left for slow traffic.

Drivers should also watch for vehicles adjusting to the first traffic signals north of I-69 at Banta Road and S.R. 144.

State Road 252 and 44 at I-69

Local access in Morgan County

Morgan County access to and from the new I-69 is from four interchanges: Henderson Ford Road, SR 252/SR 44, Ohio Street/Artesian Avenue and S.R. 39/Morton Avenue. New local roads provide access to Martinsville businesses along Burton Lane and Grand Valley Boulevard.

Drivers who may miss their exit should not try to change lanes last minute, but instead safely proceed to the next exit.

A traffic signal is active where I-69 entrance and exit ramps meet Ohio Street and roundabouts are in place at Henderson Ford Road, S.R. 252 and S.R. 39/Morton Avenue. Watch this short video to learn more about roundabouts at the I-69 Finish Line interchanges.

Due to the close spacing of S.R. 252/Hospital Drive and S.R. 44/Reuben Drive, I-69 entrance and exit ramps are separated with concrete barrier and combined into one interchange. Drivers are encouraged to slow down and follow the signage as they adjust to these ramp movements:

  • I-69 southbound exiting onto S.R. 252: Make sure you’re in the right lane and follow the ramp lane underneath the S.R. 44 bridge.
  • S.R. 252 entering I-69 northbound: Follow the ramp lane underneath the S.R. 44 bridge and merge with other traffic entering I-69 northbound.
  • I-69 northbound exiting onto S.R. 44: Pass through the roundabout at S.R. 252.

Concrete railing is being poured atop the retaining wall for the S.R. 252 and S.R. 44 ramp entering I-69 southbound. This entrance ramp is expected to open in the coming weeks.

South Keystone Avenue over I-465

Other traffic changes

I-69 Finish Line construction continues in Marion and Johnson Counties. Bridge crews reopened South Keystone Avenue on Wednesday across the new bridge over I-465. The bridge closed in late August for a complete replacement.

Similar work will occur in 2022 to replace the Carson Avenue, Madison Avenue, Mann Road and Mooresville Road Bypass bridges over I-465. Neighboring bridges will be built in phases to minimize detours. To learn more about Marion County construction, watch the project update video on our Photos & Videos webpage.

In Johnson County, S.R. 37 traffic was shifted across the median on Wednesday and now shares one side of the road divided by concrete barrier. This traffic pattern will remain in effect for several months during pavement replacement for the new I-69.