By Desiree Williams
Whitestown is working with INDOT to add an interchange access point to I-65 at County Road 550 S in Boone County. INDOT performed an interchange capacity analysis for I-65 at State Road 267 and determined a new access point would be beneficial because of anticipated growth in the area.
“The new interchange at CR 550 diverts a significant amount of traffic from not only the SR 267 interchange, but also the Whitestown Parkway interchange,” said Debbie Calder, INDOT communications director for the Crawfordsville district. “This diversion improves the operations of the corridor so much that a less expensive interchange at SR 267 can be constructed and still provide the desired level of service.”
INDOT is already making improvements to the I-65 and SR 267 interchange and plans to combine the two projects. The projected budget for both is $40 million, which will fund inspection, construction, engineering, design, right-of way acquisition and utility relocation.
In addition to federal funding, Whitestown will contribute up to $10 million to reimburse INDOT for project costs. Whitestown plans to create a tax increment financing zone in the future, with 50 percent of that revenue going toward reimbursement.
“The goal of this addition is to improve operations to the SR 267 interchange study area and reduce travel times for the traveling public on and along the I-65 corridor,” Calder said. “The new access point at CR 550 will help Boone County by creating an additional access point to I-65 as well as provide an additional crossing point for residents and businesses in this growing area.”
Calder said the projects most likely will be on the same construction contract and timeline. The CR 550 project started earlier this year. Calder said it is expected to be open for construction bids in early 2020.
