Indiana interstate construction costs rise; INDOT cites inflation and material intensity

Indiana Capital Chronicle reported Oct. 2, 2026 that INDOT and industry officials described higher costs for interstate and bridge work. Sources cited broad inflation (including a cited FHWA national highway construction cost index change for 2020–2025), the material‑intensity of major interstate and bridge projects, traffic‑maintenance requirements for programs such as Revive I‑70 and Safer Drive 65, and competition for materials and equipment as drivers of recent cost increases. The article also noted INDOT’s procurement practices: projects are competitively bid (with the agency generally selecting the lowest‑priced proposal), the agency bundles projects to limit traffic impacts, maintains 20‑year asset management plans, and uses alternative delivery methods to involve contractors earlier in project development.

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