Plans in works to add lanes to I-69 in C. Indiana

PENDLETON, Ind. - State highway officials are working on plans to add lanes to a busy section of Interstate 69 through central Indiana.

The Indiana Department of Transportation's proposal would add a third travel lane to both northbound and southbound I-69 in a 14-mile stretch between the Indiana 37 in Fishers and Indiana 38 near Pendleton. The highway now has three lanes from I-465 in Indianapolis to near the Indiana 37 interchange.

Agency spokesman Harry Maginity tells The Herald Bulletin (http://bit.ly/1lVmeRi ) that state money for the estimated $79 million project is expected to be included in a highway funding package by legislators this year.

The highway department is planning to start construction work on the additional lanes next year, with work being completed in late 2016 or early 2017.