VIGO COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces that all six miles of the State Road 641 bypass opened for business today, January 20, 2017.  Four lanes of 55 mph freeway now connect U.S. 41/150 south of Terre Haute with I-70, U.S. 40 and State Road 46 to the east, providing much-needed relief to heavily traveled, commercial routes in the area.

“The State Road 641 bypass will make it faster and more convenient to move goods, conduct business, and get from place to place in the Terre Haute area,” Governor Eric Holcomb said. “The opening of this roadway represents the type of smart infrastructure investments needed to take Indiana to the next level.”

The $150 million project will further improve Terre Haute’s economic competitiveness by allowing development near the State Road 641 exits at State Road 46/Riley Road and McDaniel Road, as well as the Vigo County Industrial Parks just south of the U.S. 41 interchange.

“I’m thrilled for the opening of the State Road 641 bypass. The bypass will help with the expansion and development on the east side of Terre Haute and will provide convenience to local residents. As always, I’m happy to see projects completed in Terre Haute that improve the lives of residents of Senate District 39 and that have potential to boost our local economy,” said Senator Jon Ford.

Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett added, “This new corridor will definitely help the Terre Haute economy by allowing for new developments. I look forward to seeing the economic impact for our future.”

The first section of State Road 641 opened from U.S. 41 to McDaniel Road in 2010.

“The opening of the State Road 641 bypass is certainly a long time coming and I know a lot of work has been put in to get the project completed,” Representative Bob Heaton said. “This road will be a major convenience for the families and businesses in Terre Haute.”

The section opening today was split into two contracts awarded to Walsh Construction Co. and Beaty Construction, Inc.  The earthwork was performed by Gradex, Inc. and Feutz Contractors, Inc.  The asphalt paving was performed by Wabash Valley Asphalt Co.  The lead design firms were Hanson Professional Services, Inc. and Beam, Longest, and Neff, LLC.

Although State Road 641 is now open to traffic, construction will continue to wind down through later this year. This spring motorists should expect lane closures as crews complete work at the I-70 interchange and place the top layer of asphalt on sections of the roadway.

In addition, the State Road 641 exit to McDaniel Road remains temporarily closed. In late December, Vigo County discovered a retaining wall issue with its McDaniel Road Bridge over a railroad just northwest of State Road 641. INDOT and the Vigo County Engineering Office are coordinating efforts, and the interchange will remain closed until the railroad bridge is repaired.