Project Description:  US 231 Phase III Project in Spencer County is comprised of new terrain freeway totaling 4.5 miles of four-lane divided roadway with a grass median and two bridges in Spencer County.  The project includes a railroad grade separation and a diamond interchange at SR 162.  The project traverses densely wooded new terrain with large elevation changes and strip pits from past mining activities.  Four local roads were relocated to maintain the limited access feature of the new US 231 freeway.

The project required extensive coordination with the INDOT Office of Geotechnical Engineering due to possible mine subsidence, ponds, and the types of soil identified in the soil boring including coal, shale, and sandstone.  The project bisects three local service roads, a railroad, and State Road 162.  Coordination with the local agencies, Hoosier Railroad identified solutions to minimize the new alignments impacts on the community.

The location control route survey and topographic survey included full ground survey on a terrain that included over 100 feet of elevation changes, ponds, and strip mines. The new alignment traversed land with elevation changes of more than 50 feet and was previously mined.  Mining operations created unique geotechnical challenges which were coordinated as the project encountered mine spoils and created ponds.

Approximate Project Cost:  $25,500,000

Breadth of Services Provided:  Topographic Survey, Regulatory Permit Applications,  Roadway Design, Bridge Design, Complex Sign Design, and Utility Coordination