Work under way on I-70/SR 39 interchange modification project

MONROVIA – The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced that work is under way on the Interstate 70 and State Road 39 interchange.

The contractor will close the left lane in each direction on I-70 from the 59- to the 60-mile marker (18 miles east of Cloverdale) overnight to install barrier wall on the inside shoulder. The work will begin at 9 p.m. and continue through 6 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11.

Milestone Contractors LP was awarded the $16.2 million contract.

The project will redesign the interchange to a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI). The interchange modification project is being built to add traffic capacity and relieve congestion for the current and future needs as development expands in this area.

There will be various changes to the traffic patterns while it is under construction. The interchange is scheduled to open to traffic in the fall of 2021.

A Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) is a type of interchange in which the two directions of traffic on a non-highway road cross to the opposite side on both sides of a bridge. It is unusual in that it requires traffic on the highway overpass to briefly drive on the opposite side of the road from what is customary.

When entering the DDI, drivers cross over to the left side of the bridge, guided by signals, signs and pavement markings. DDIs are designed to be safer, more efficient and more cost effective than traditional diamond interchanges.