Bloomington drivers will be in for some long commutes and terrible headaches starting later this year. 

Route 37 that runs through Martinsville will be changing to Interstate 69 as part of the Indot Finish Line Project.  The next leg of the project is set to stretch from Martinsville to I-465 in Indianapolis. Natalie Garrett, spokesperson for INDOT, said the project will improve safety on the route.

“It will eliminate at grade crossings and the access points will be interstate interchanges,”Garrett said.

The next leg of the project will start in Martinsville and work its way up to the southside of Indianapolis, but that means the stretch of State Road 37 that goes through Martinsville will affect Bloomington commuters and individuals that live in the Indianapolis area.  IU junior, Johnny Jones, will be affected by this closure, not only to get to his job in Indianapolis, but also to see his grandparents in Martinsville.“My grandparents live right in Martinsville off 37,” Jones said.  “This will just add some more unnecessary time to go see my grandparents now with the closure.” Jones was frustrated with the closure, but he understands that this should improve the roadways from the stretch of Martinsville to I-465.

 Jones likely won’t be the only frustrated driver, as the construction will make for a lot longer commute for many people.  The easiest detour route is connecting to Kentucky Avenue or SR 67 which runs through Mooresville up to I-465. Still, this may frustrate daily or weekly drivers to Indianapolis, like Jones.“This is going to add a lot more to my drive and it will just cause a bigger headache than what is actually needed.”  Jones said. “Hopefully I find a quick route for myself that won’t make it nearly as bad.”

Natalie Garrett points out that the eventual improvements will take time off the route to and from I-465.  “The average travel time from Martinsville to Indianapolis will decrease by about 11 minutes,”  Garrett said.  

The project will be split up into five different contracts.  Each are color-coded on the map from the I69 finish line project website.  The work on the I-69 project the Evansville won’t be completed until 2024.

One of the biggest challenges in and around Martinsville is constructing a bridge that connects one side of Martinsville to the other.  One area is more commercial while the other leads to the high school and the downtown area. INDOT didn’t want business customers and others on the commercial side to suffer without having an easy access way to cross.

 Garrett says the project will improve the area.  “We are doing some work to prepare for (detours), doing some resurface work and adding travel lanes.”

To keep up with the construction and updates of the Finish Line project, check out the website at I-69finishline.com.