Crews are making significant progress on a project that will improve I-70 in Wayne County, Indiana, from west of Cambridge City to the Ohio state line. When completed, Revive I-70 will reduce congestion, enhance traffic flow and improve safety.

REVIVE I-70 photo

"Work is needed along the corridor to replace, rehabilitate and widen pavement to upgrade this critical interstate connection," said Danny Corbin, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) project manager. "Truck traffic along this stretch of I-70 tops 50 percent. Improvements made through the Revive I-70 project will support the safer and more efficient movement of both people and goods in the region, and it will open the door to new opportunities for decades to come."

Based on the size of the corridor and amount of construction involved, Revive I-70 is split into three contracts. Contract 1, at a cost of nearly $378 million, extends from west of U.S. 35 to the Ohio state line. It includes added travel lanes, pavement replacement, interchange modifications and bridge improvements. Contract 1 work began in spring 2025. The project remains on schedule and is expected to be finished in 2029.

Contract 2 extends from west of S.R. 1 to west of Centerville. It includes pavement rehabilitation and bridge improvements. Preconstruction activities are under way, with construction starting in spring 2026. Contract 3 extends from west of Centerville to U.S. 35. Specific improvements are still being developed.

The Revive I-70 Contract 1 design-build joint venture (JV) contractor team consists of Walsh Construction Co., Crider & Crider and Rieth-Riley.

"Walsh, Rieth-Riley and Crider & Crider have worked on major sections of the Indiana I-69 and I-70 corridors in recent years," said Corbin. "Walsh constructed Section 6 of I-69 in Martinsville and was the prime contractor for a six-mile stretch of I-70 in Indianapolis. Rieth-Riley and Crider & Crider completed construction along a 17-mile section of I-69 between Martinsville and Indianapolis in 2024."

REVIVE I-70 photo

Corbin said the design-build approach allows for continued design development, flexibility and a more unified flow between design and construction. This process increases collaboration and incentivizes innovation in design development by engaging early with the contractor. Risk mitigation also is enhanced by using a risk register, which ultimately provides greater cost certainty.

According to Fielding Tipton, INDOT construction project manager, an added travel lane is being constructed in both directions of I-70 from west of U.S. 35 to the Ohio state line as part of Contract 1.

"An added lane will reduce congestion, especially with a high number of trucks using the corridor. Other improvements include pavement replacement and rehabilitation, interchange improvements, bridge improvements and updates to existing lighting, signage and guardrail/barrier systems."

Improvements at two key interchanges (U.S. 40 and U.S. 35) will improve traffic flow and safety. The existing partial cloverleaf will be replaced with a diamond interchange with single-lane roundabouts at both interchanges with the loop ramps removed. Barriers in the median will be placed to reduce or eliminate crossover accidents, and pavement replacement will improve roadway and bridge conditions, minimizing the need for future repairs. Temporary ramp closures are being used to facilitate construction at both locations.

Tipton explained that maintaining traffic on this busy corridor is crucial.

"For the duration of the project, I-70 will remain open to two lanes of traffic in each direction most of the time. Lane restrictions will be limited to overnight hours. Short-term ramp and road closures will occur as necessary. Access for all residences and businesses is being maintained."

REVIVE I-70 photo

"A long-term ramp closure from southbound U.S. 35 to eastbound I-70 began in spring 2025 and is in place through summer 2026," said Tipton. "Closing this ramp provides safer conditions for both crews and motorists with construction under way and traffic shifted to narrower lanes."

The Cardinal Greenway Trail closed temporarily the last half of 2025. Crews replaced the bridge with a box culvert that pedestrians walk through under I-70. It reopened in November. Intermittent closures are expected through the rest of the project for items like final surface and lighting.

"Once Contract 1 construction is complete, it will provide drivers with a much smoother commute, Tipton said. "Longstanding issues with pavement conditions along this portion of the corridor will be addressed. Increased capacity will help to reduce traffic congestion and increase traffic flow for drivers and commercial vehicles who will more easily share the roadway. The reconstructed U.S. 40 and U.S. 35 interchanges will significantly improve safety and mobility."

Coordinating construction for the two major contracts is a balancing act. In addition, crews must perform a variety of tasks while ensuring motorists and commerce can safely and efficiently navigate the corridor.

"Another challenge on this project is construction access to the median area where construction is under way," said Tipton. "With two lanes of traffic remaining open most of the time, access is limited for the many work vehicles and materials moving in and out of the construction site."

Work began with preconstruction activities that included shoulder strengthening, earth exploration, soil boring, utility work and removal of existing overhead signage. Site work consists of minor utility relocations, regrading of highway ditches and interchanges and an adjustment to the existing roadway profile due to the added travel lane. In addition, there are Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and electrical upgrades throughout the Contract 1 limits.

Contract 1 includes 21 bridges. Improvements include widening, complete replacements, deck replacements, deck overlays and painting.

A total of 591,000 cu. yds. of dirt will be moved during construction. Excavation includes filling in an existing grass median for the added travel lane and adjusting the profile of the existing I-70. Existing pavement will be milled or rubblized and removed. The existing subgrade will be regraded, and a new pavement section will be constructed.

REVIVE I-70 photo

Crews are using Cat 325, 336 and 349 excavators, along with Cat D2 - D6 dozers. There also are two Cat 140M motor graders.

Bridge crews are using Liebherr LR 1160 and Link-Belt 218 crawler cranes. Paving crews are relying on a Cat AP1055F track paver with an integral DX spray paver attachment.

For asphalt compaction, workers are using a Cat CB13 tandem vibratory roller; a Cat CW 34 pneumatic roller; and a Cat CB2.7 tandem vibratory roller.

Main materials include 41,000 sq. ft. of new bridge; 114,000 sq. ft. of bridge widening and rehabilitations; 585,000 sq. ft. of roadway; 37,000 linear ft. of retaining wall; 337 SPT borings; and 150 pavement cores.

Also required are 850,000 tons of asphalt; 1,900 linear ft. of bridge deck; 95,000 sq. ft. of bridge deck; 19,000 linear ft. of piling, ranging in size from 12x53 HP to 14-in. pipe pile; and 25,000 cu. yds. of concrete.

For Corbin, being involved in the Revive I-70 project is an honor and a responsibility.

"Indiana is the crossroads of America, and I-70 is the heart of those crossroads," he said. "We want to keep our facilities in good repair to continue to serve the traveling public now, and for future generations."

Toby Randolph, project manager of lead development and design firm Parsons Corp., said Parsons has been involved in the I-70 Revive project for many years.

"Parsons started working on the environmental phase of this project in late 2022, and the conversations surrounding the need for improvements to the busy corridor started years before that. It's very fulfilling to see construction under way and the progress being made daily."

Erik Gardin, Walsh Construction maintenance of traffic manager, said, "There are a lot of drivers and a lot of commerce that move through this busy I-70 corridor, including drivers heading west to Indianapolis or east to Ohio. When work is complete and open to traffic, it's the most rewarding thing you can imagine." CEG