The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has been issuing regular updates on the construction work along I-69, including the reconfiguration of Exit 210.

Here is the latest release from INDOT:

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I-69 Major Moves 2020 construction update:

• Finishing patches north of Exit 210
• Paving begins north of Exit 210
• Starting construction of northbound added lane
• Preparing for southbound traffic shift
• Widening Campus Parkway bridge
• Building up new interchange ramps

Interstate 69 patching & paving

Milestone Contractors is patching existing southbound pavement north of Campus Parkway Exit 210.  The patching operation is expected to be complete this week.

About 15 miles of interstate is being repaired before a new asphalt overlay is paved on existing lanes.  Paving on northbound I-69  north of Exit 210 is scheduled to begin tonight.

Weather permitting, patching and paving operations require alternating lane closures in various locations six nights a week on Monday through Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.  One lane of I-69 will remain open at all times, and two lanes will remain open during peak daytime travel times.

The speed limit through the work zone is reduced to 60 mph and further reduced to 50 mph when workers are present.  Speed detection and LED display signs have been installed in the work zone to alert motorists driving at unsafe speeds.  Indiana State Police are patrolling the work zone to promote public safety and compliance with traffic laws.

Interstate 69 added travel lane

Milestone Contractors has set temporary concrete barrier along the I-69 median between State Road 37 (Exit 205) and Campus Parkway (Exit 210) to begin construction of an additional lane in each direction.

Northbound lanes have been shifted toward the right shoulder, and southbound traffic lanes are scheduled to be moved toward the right shoulder next week.  This will require single-lane closures between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Motorists should be alert for trucks entering and exiting the roadway.  Signs direct large trucks to use the left lane through the shifted section of interstate.  The speed limit is reduced to 60 mph and further reduced to 50 mph when workers are present.

For more information about I-69 traffic during construction, go to http://www.in.gov/indot/3446.htm.

Campus/Southeastern Parkway Exit 210

Construction of the new double-crossover diamond configuration is underway as Milestone builds up the new interchange ramps and widens the Campus Parkway bridge over I-69.

Campus Parkway traffic lanes are narrowed to 11 feet and installation of concrete barrier is scheduled for next week.

Motorists should be alert for workers in the area and trucks entering and exiting the roadway.

Later this summer, traffic will be shifted into a double-crossover diamond configuration, which is intended to improve traffic flow during the remainder of construction of the permanent interchange improvements.

For more information about interchange construction, go to http://www.in.gov/indot/3441.htm.

About the project

INDOT and the Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) selected a $92 million proposal from Milestone Contractors and United Consulting to add a travel lane and rehabilitate 15 miles of I-69 in Hamilton and Madison counties as part of Indiana’s Major Moves 2020 program.

More details about the project can be found at http://www.in.gov/indot/3440.htm.  Construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2017.  Updates about construction schedules will be announced as work progresses.

The announcement many expected came mid-day on August 3rd….there will be no State Fair Train in 2016.

The Fishers appointee to the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority, City Council Vice President David George, said during a recent podcast interview with LarryInFishers that the Indiana Transportation Museum was provided a list of steps that need to be taken before their train may use the tracks under the Port Authority’s jurisdiction.  Apparently, those steps could not be completed by state fair time this year.

Below is a statement issued by the Transportation Museum August 3rd:

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In recent weeks, Indiana Transportation Museum and Hoosier Heritage Port Authority have communicated with each other multiple times per week. Today, HHPA informed ITM that HHPA is continuing the suspension of ITM’s operations on the HHPA rail line. This means that ITM will not be operating the FairTrain this year. We are of course saddened that we will not be able to provide this unique experience for families this year. We will continue to work with HHPA, its rail consultant, and others associated with HHPA. ITM’s goal continues to be to provide such information and take such other actions as needed to enable HHPA to lift the suspension. Our record of safety is unparalleled in our over 30-year operating history, and we will continue that record as we go forward.

Jeffrey S. Kehler Chairman, ITM, Inc.

Here is the latest update from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) on I-69 lane closures this week:

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Walsh Construction Company plans to close multiple lanes of Interstate 69 during overnight hours this week as lane markings, signage and temporary concrete barriers are placed to shift traffic lanes into the next phase for construction at the 106th Street interchange project.

Shifting northbound and southbound lanes of I-69 between 82nd Street (Exit 201) and 116th Street (Exit 205) toward the median will allow construction to continue on the end supports of two bridges, which will each carry one direction of traffic on 106th Street over I-69.

Weather permitting, work will start at 10 p.m. on the dates below and end before 6 a.m. the following morning.  Construction schedules are subject to change.

Wednesday, Aug. 3:  Three left lanes of northbound I-69 will be closed.

Thursday, Aug. 4:  Three left lanes of northbound I-69 and one right lane of southbound I-69 will be closed.

Friday, Aug. 5:  One right lane of northbound I-69 will be closed.

The speed limit near the construction zone is reduced to 55 mph and may be reduced further to 45 mph when workers are present.  Motorists are advised to pay attention to work zone warning signs, follow posted speed limits and keep a safe following distance from other motorists.  

The Fishers CrimeWatch App has been in operation for several weeks, and authorities report the technology has resulted in its first arrest.

Assistant Police Chief Ed Gebhart tells LarryInFishers a local resident used the app to send officers a picture of a vehicle’s license plate to report a suspicious, erratic driver.  Police followed up on the information and made an arrest based on the CrimeWatch alert from the Fishers citizen.  The driver was charged with Operating While Intoxicated (OWI).   Gebhart had no other details on when or where the arrest was made, or the name of the driver arrested.

There are now 2,800 registered used of the Fishers CrimeWatch smartphone app, according to Gebhart

National Night Out is a way for local police departments to interact with the public about what they do, and involve local citizens in crime prevention.  The event drew a big crowd in and around the Fishers Police Department headquarters on August 2nd

Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation Executive Director Freedom Kolb talks to Larry about the foundation’s work…

There will be more overnight closures as state contractors continue work on the 106th Street interchange at I-69 in Fishers.  See the details below in a news release from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT):

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Walsh Construction Company plans to close multiple lanes of Interstate 69 during overnight hours this week as lane markings, signage and temporary concrete barriers are placed for the next phase of construction at the 106th Street interchange project.

Shifting northbound and southbound lanes of I-69 between 82nd Street (Exit 201) and 116th Street (Exit 205) toward the median will allow construction to continue on the end supports of two bridges, which will each carry one direction of traffic on 106th Street over I-69.

Work is dependent on favorable weather and construction schedules are subject to change.

• Three left lanes of southbound I-69 will be closed on Monday (Aug. 1) and Tuesday (Aug. 2) nights from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.
• Three left lanes of northbound I-69 will be closed on Wednesday (Aug. 3) and Thursday (Aug. 4) nights from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.

The speed limit near the construction zone is reduced to 55 mph and may be reduced further to 45 mph when workers are present.  Motorists are advised to pay attention to work zone warning signs, follow posted speed limits and keep a safe following distance from other motorists.  

About the project

INDOT awarded a $21.7 million contract to Walsh Construction Company to build a two-lane, oval-shaped roundabout on 106th Street over I-69 and ramps to and from both directions of the interstate.  Two separate two-lane bridges will each carry one direction of traffic. The bridge to carry westbound traffic on the north side of 106th Street is also designed to accommodate pedestrians.

The project is intended to reduce congestion at existing I-69 interchanges at 96th and 116th streets, increase traffic safety in the area and provide direct interstate access at 106th Street.  Direct access will serve existing residential and commercial destinations and accommodate development and population growth in the area.

Access on 106th Street over I-69 will remain closed through construction of the new interchange.  The new I-69 Exit 204 to 106th Street is scheduled to open before the end of this year.  

Fishers Police were called to Willow View and Masters Road Monday morning, where officers found an injured motorcyclist that had apparently collided with a car.  Police say injuries were in the lower extremities.

Here are the details contained in a Fishers Police Department News Release:

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Just before 9am, this morning, Fishers police were called to the intersection of Willowview Road and Masters Road after a Chevrolet passenger car and a Suzuki motorcycle collided. Upon their arrival officers observed the driver of the motorcycle was being tended to by several bystanders. The Fishers Department of Fire and Emergency Services arrived and transported the motorcyclist to the hospital. At the time of transport the driver appeared to suffer injuries to his lower extremities.

Crash Investigators and Evidence Technicians responded to interview witnesses and collect evidence. The driver of the Chevrolet remained at the scene and fully cooperated with Investigators. Based on evidence and witness statements it appears the Chevrolet was attempting to turn southbound onto Masters Rd and turned in front of the Suzuki.

The crash remains under investigation, however at this time it does not appear that drugs or alcohol contributed to this crash.

Driver #1 –     Joseph Harris

                        54 years old

                        Indianapolis, Indiana         

Driver #2 –     Steven Martin          

                        67 years old

                        Indianapolis, Indiana         

The Fishers Police Department will be requesting 4 new police officers join the force in 2017, along with 2 additional civilian employees.  Otherwise, the department plans to submit a flat 2017 operating budget to the mayor’s office for consideration.  That’s according to Assistant Chief Mitch Thompson in an update provided to the Police Merit Commission.

Thompson told the commission an area of 96th Street near I-69, from Lantern Road to North by Northeast Boulevard, is “responsible for 22% of our Part One (most serious) crimes in the City of Fishers.”  Fishers Police have made a concerted effort to reduce crime in that area the past four months.  Thompson said his officers have seen some success on that effort, but the true test will be how things are 12 months from now.  He praised the business community for being a part of the effort to reduce crime along the 96th Street corridor.

The department has obtained a drone to be used for accident and crime scene investigations.  Thompson emphasized the device will not be utilized for surveillance.

Fishers Police have also acquired a scanner, which Thompson describes as the latest technology to scan the general area of a crime or accident scene, recording data for the investigation.

August 2nd is the National Night Out, 6:00-8:30pm, at the municipal complex around the amphitheater.  The first floor of police headquarters will be open to anyone.  The popular K-9 demonstrations will be part of this year’s event once again.  For more information, use this link.

The Fishers Police Department arrested an Indianapolis man after authorities say the man rammed a police car and tried to escape.  All the details are contained in a news release from the Fishers Police Department below:

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Around 10:30am, this morning, Fishers police officers were called to the McDonalds parking lot located at 9611 North by Northeast Blvd (96^th Street and Interstate 69) after an employee observed a suspicious man parked in a black Jeep Cherokee. Officers arrived, identified the man, and began to investigate.

As officers were checking the status of his driver license the suspect suddenly placed the Jeep in reverse and rammed into a police SUV nearly striking an officer. The suspect fled a short distance before striking a curb and disabling the Jeep. The suspect exited the Jeep and attempted to carjack two occupied cars. After a brief foot pursuit the suspect was taken into custody. Officers discovered the Jeep was stolen during a carjacking last night in Marion County.

No officers were injured during this incident. The suspect complained of wrist pain. Paramedics from the Fishers Department of Fire and Emergency Services responded and treated the suspect at the scene. The suspect was then transported to the Hamilton County Jail without incident.

Suspect:       Gregory S. Gardner II

                        25 years old

                        Indianapolis, Indiana         

Charge(s):    Robbery Level 6 Felony (2cts)

                        Resisting Law Enforcement in a Vehicle Level 6 Felony

                        Receiving Stolen Property Level 6 Felony

                        Possession of a Controlled Substance Level 6 Felony

                        Possession of a Syringe Level 6 Felony

                        Reckless Possession of Paraphernalia C Misdemeanor

                        Criminal Recklessness B Misdemeanor

Held:              Hamilton County Jail