FROM INDIANA NEWS SERVICE

Half a century after the goal was first conceived, Indianapolis and Evansville are now officially connected via an interstate highway.

The I-69 and I-465 interchange is opening this week on the southwest side of Indianapolis, as the sixth and final section between the two cities.

Crews broke ground on the I-69 extension in 2008 in southwest Indiana.  The first leg from Evansville to Washington was opened in the fall of 2012.

However,  the dream of an interstate connecting Evansville to Indianapolis spanned decades.

Gov. Eric Holcomb said the project completes a major economic vision for Indiana.”The cost of not doing this far exceeded the cost of doing it,” Holcomb contended. “This was an investment in us, this was an investment in our future, this was an investment in realizing our potential.”

According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, I-69 features more than 26 miles of new interstate, more than 35 new lane miles of local access roads, 39 new bridges and 35 rebuilt or replaced bridges and the elimination of 14 traffic signals. It also reduces travel time from Indianapolis to Martinsville by 11 minutes.

Former Vice President and Gov. Mike Pence spoke at the opening of the highway, telling those in attendance that the project has been dreamed about in Indiana since before the end of World War II.”It required patience, determination, vision and unwavering commitment,”

Pence emphasized. “Since 1944, I’m told, citizens, transportation planners, elected officials always looked forward to this day.”Crews are working on the finishing touches.

I-69 now runs continuously from the Canadian border to Evansville. It will eventually go all the way to the Mexican border.