Indiana interstate construction costs rose in FY2026; INDOT cites inflation, data‑center demand and larger projects

The Indiana Capital Chronicle (Oct. 2, 2026) reported that Indiana’s average cost to construct a centerline mile of interstate rose in fiscal 2026. The article attributed higher prices to national construction‑cost inflation, competition for materials and equipment from data‑center projects, sharp material-price increases, and the fact that INDOT’s FY2026 average included two particularly complicated projects.

INDOT told the paper it manages 20‑year asset plans, bundles projects by timing and location, and uses alternative delivery methods to involve contractors earlier; the agency also said most highway projects are competitively bid and generally awarded to the lowest‑priced proposal. The story noted an industry shift after a 2017 road‑funding law toward larger reconstruction projects and listed urban work cost drivers and items included in the stated costs.

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