Inside INdiana Business is reporting that the operator of the Indiana Toll Road has reached a deal with a Nebraska company to grow the fiber optic network and intelligent transportation system along the interstate. eX² Technology LLC says the $34 million project will allow Indiana Toll Road Concession Co. to make the 157-mile stretch safer for drivers.
Construction on the multi-phase project is expected to begin later this month. Under the terms of the agreement, eX² will design and build more than 85 miles of conduit and fiber optic cable between mile markers 0-23 and 92-157. The company will also install ITS devices along the entire highway.
eX² says the completed system will give ITRCC the ability to offer advanced incident messaging, monitor traffic flows and reduce speeds when necessary. It will also allow the operator to detect wrong way drivers on a select number of ramps.
Nic Barr, chief executive officer of ITRCC says they chose eX² because of its experience with similar ITS projects in other states.
“This project demonstrates the ITRCC’s commitment to providing a safer roadway system for our customers, employees and communities,” said Nic Barr, chief executive officer of ITRCC. “It directly aligns with our goal for investing in technologies that reduce the frequency and severity of incidents along the Indiana Toll Road.”
The project is expected to be complete in the fourth quarter of 2020.
The intelligent transportation system launched last year after more than 70 miles of fiber optic cable was installed as part of the $220 million 80/90 PUSH Project, which was completed in 2017.