SOUTHERN INDIANA (WFIE) -
I-69 is being called the longest continuous project going on right now in the nation, and on Saturday, five communities along the interstate came out to celebrate.
INDOT says this was the first event of its kind in the state of Indiana, as multiple portions of the nearly completed I-69 were opened to the public for a day of food, music, and games.
Those who attended Saturday's I-69 Community Day say they wanted to be a part of an historical accomplishment for the State of Indiana.
"The governor has invited all of the counties that have been involved in all of the building and stuff to invite the community to come out and do things on I-69, such as ride bicycles and chalk and all that, you'll never get to do again. It's just a piece of history," said Karen Thompson, the Executive Director of Gibson County CHamber of Commerce.
Greene, Daviess, Pike, and Gibson Counties all participated in Saturday's celebration featuring car shows, concerts, and bike races.
Thompson believes the celebration marks an upswing in local commerce.
"I think you're going to see some tremendous growth in the next few years for, on a regional basis, not just for our county. And then, I think this is going to be a safety factor with getting, you know, maybe a little less traffic on Highway 41."
Some of those in attendance Saturday say they've been waiting decades for I-69 to become a reality. And now that INDOT says construction is just months away from completion, those same people say they feel a strong sense of relief.
"A lot of people fought it. And a lot of people were pushing for it, and they won. It's gonna be an asset to the community and hopefully to southern Indiana," Gibson County resident Bob Zazadry said.
"It's been a pretty long haul. And even just a few weeks ago, when you drove by here and it wasn't all completely paved, you kinda wondered. But, it's looking good. We don't know when the official opening will be yet. But it will be coming up soon," Thompson said.
INDOT has not declared an expected completion date for Interstate 69, but they do say construction is on pace to be complete by the end of this year.
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
Those who attended Saturday's I-69 Community Day say they wanted to be a part of an historical accomplishment for the State of Indiana.
