Landmark Achievement in Streamlined Delivery of New Interstate

Spanning 27 miles, Section 6 of the I-69 Finish Line project completes Indiana’s new interstate system, connecting Evansville to Indianapolis. Recognized as a “significant project” by the Federal Highway Administration, this transformative effort required innovative planning and execution to fast-track design while maintaining commuter access and mobility. 

Crawford, Murphy & Tilly (CMT) played a pivotal role in the middle segment of this project, Segment 2, leading design services for Contract 3 and serving as the secondary consultant for Contract 4, which physically overlapped with Contract 3 — together covering approximately 16.5 miles. Understanding the Indiana Department of Transportation’s (INDOT) need for accelerated results, CMT’s project team worked closely with Segment 2 design partners to propose a revised plan that would prioritize the construction schedule over a geography-based corridor approach. This strategic shift expedited mainline construction by 150%, cutting the timeline from three years to just one. 

Under the revised plan, CMT was tasked with delivering Contract 3’s $65 million local road access and overpass construction bid package within just nine months. The team managed extensive permitting and oversaw more than 200 property acquisitions without delay to the construction schedule. CMT also helped INDOT secure construction rights on FEMA-controlled land, a first for the state, saving approximately $1 million. An abbreviated Value Engineering Study identified additional cost reductions exceeding $1 million. 

Contract 4, the project’s largest at $338 million, included mainline design and saw its schedule compressed from 24 to 18 months. CMT led design for the contract’s six-mile southern portion, including the new Henderson Ford interchange. CMT also addressed complex flooding issues incorporating an equalizing structure to manage stormwater. 

Crossing the Finish Line — Three Years Early 

In August 2024, INDOT celebrated the completion of I-69 Section 6 three years ahead of schedule. CMT is proud to have played a key role in this decades-in-the-making achievement, demonstrating our commitment to innovative, collaborative design that advances infrastructure solutions and maximizes project delivery.