Governor Eric Holcomb joined Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe McGuinness and state and local officials Friday in Columbus to mark the start of the 2018 Next Level Roads construction season. Officials kicked off construction for the year by breaking ground on a $143 million expansion of Interstate 65 between Columbus and Seymour.

Governor Holcomb says the program leverages long-term, sustainable funding to make record-setting investments in Indiana’s transportation system.

“Indiana is one of only a handful of states with a fully funded, long-term infrastructure plan. And, we’re putting it to good use, not just for our roads and bridges—but also to attract more job creators to move and grow in our state,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Working hand-in-hand with local communities, Indiana is taking care of what we have, finishing what we started and planning for the future.”

Officials chose to kick off the 2018 construction season in Columbus as INDOT and contractor E&B Paving begin work on a $143 million contract awarded in 2017 to add a travel lane in both directions of I-65 between State Road 58 near Columbus and U.S. 50 near Seymour. The project includes replacing existing pavement along the 14 mile segment that includes the new travel lanes, repairing and resurfacing pavement on a three mile segment between State Road 58 and State Road 46, and rehabilitating 27 bridges.