Construction begins soon on the multi-year Flex Road project to add capacity to the Borman Expressway without adding lanes.
By the time the project ends in 2029, it will have cost in the vicinity of $250 million, Indiana Department of Transportation Stakeholder Engagement Director Adam Parkhouse said. A $127 million federal mega grant is helping pay for about half the cost.
This year, crews will install fiber optics to prep for a lot of gantries that will be used up and down the Interstate 80/94 corridor, from Interstate 65 to Ill. 394, to provide up-to-date messaging for drivers.
Traffic won’t be interrupted much this year, but expect lane closures and delays in 2027 and 2028.
The Flex Road project will bring major changes to the Borman Expressway, including interchange modifications at Broadway and I-65 in Gary.
Ramp metering will control the frequency of vehicles entering the Borman to match the expressway’s capacity, reducing the number of crashes. Drivers who see stoplights on entrance ramps for Chicago interstates will understand how this works.
Variable speed limits will change based on real-time road conditions, including work zones and weather conditions, to reduce congestion.
Dynamic lane control will use overhead signals to close or open lanes and provide advance warning of lane closures for road work or disabled vehicles.
Depending on road conditions, drivers will be invited to drive on the shoulder to offer additional capacity during road congestion or stopped vehicles ahead.
In addition, INDOT is working to increase Hoosier Helper staff and incentivize tow companies to clear disabled vehicles faster.
Each minute a lane is blocked results in four minutes of delay, according to INDOT.
The Flex Road concept is already in use in Minnesota, Georgia, South Dakota, Maryland, Washington and Michigan, according to INDOT. Along the U.S. 23 flex route in Michigan, travel times are up 45%.
Drivers can learn more at indianaflexroad.com.
At Thursday’s Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission meeting, Parkhouse also said with all the late winter freeze-thaw cycles, when nature fooled us with sneak peeks of spring, “potholes are a real big problem right now.”
“Our team is out there monitoring conditions,” he said, but it’s helpful to have potholes reported, too. Drivers who want to report potholes can call 855-INDOT4U.
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
