Indiana interstate construction costs average $46M per centerline mile, squeezing road builders
Indiana Capital Chronicle reported on 2026-10-02 that the average cost to build a centerline mile of interstate in the 2026 state fiscal year was $46 million — nearly 450% above the $8.4 million average in fiscal 2015. The story cites inflation, supply shortages and big-capacity projects as causes.
Indiana Capital Chronicle reported on 2026-10-02 that the average cost to construct a centerline mile of interstate in Indiana during the 2026 state fiscal year was $46 million. The article attributes the rise to factors including inflation, higher material costs and supply-chain issues and notes the figure covers full reconstructions and added travel lanes.
The report quotes INDOT spokeswoman Natalie Garrett and industry sources saying Indiana has shifted from basic resurfacing to larger capital projects near metropolitan areas; INDOT’s FY2026 average included Revive I-70 (Wayne County) and Safer Drive 65 (Scott and Clark counties). The article also cites a Federal Highway Administration index that rose more than 60% from 2020–2025 and industry concerns that data centers and other large developers are competing for equipment and materials.
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