Construction project close to complete

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - After months of headaches and a few months of delays, construction workers are nearly complete with the Interstate 70 U.S. 41 interchange.

"I hate it," said driver Sarah Cole. "I hate sitting here for 20 minutes every day."

It has been a problem for drivers and businesses alike. The owner of Mike's Market, Steven Nasser, said customers make fewer trips because they don't want to fight the traffic.

"They don't want to fight the crowds," said Nasser. "I'm sure it's not just us, it's everybody along 3rd Street."

A spokesman with Crider & Crider said the $5.9 million project should be complete by the middle of next week. Paving and striping may be done as early as this weekend.

"Whenever they get this highway fixed, everybody in the whole city will be thrilled to death," said Terre Haute resident Deloris Nickles.

The project will finish several months behind schedule. Pipe work underneath the road delaying the original completion date set for August.

"We just appreciate everyone's patience and hopefully they will be pleased with the end result of the project," said INDOT Spokeswoman Debbie Calder.

When the project is complete, drivers may notice wider ramps up to I-70, landscaping all around the interchange, and a new sidewalk under the overpass. Perhaps most importantly for drivers, there will now be two left-turn lanes up to I-70 in both directions.