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CALL 6: I-69 contractors aren't being paid

Issue could further delay completion
Posted at 10:35 PM, Aug 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-12 18:43:09-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- INDOT says construction work is still going on at the I-69 expansion, but financial experts are predicting the project now won't be finished on time.

The project, Section 5 of the overall I-69 expansion, is a 21-mile leg between Bloomington and Martinsville. It's the second-to-last phase of the project to extend I-69 between Evansville and Indianapolis.

The project has already been delayed eight months. It's now scheduled to be completed on June 28, 2017.

Default notices were recently issued by I-69 Development Partners to their main contractor telling them to pay their subcontractors within 20 days – but because of that, the bonds used to pay for the project were lowered to junk status by Fitch Ratings.

Fitch Ratings says because of this, they believe that the construction cones won't be gone when they're supposed to be.

Officials are pointing their fingers at Isolux, the main contractor on the project. This is the second time this year Isolux has been accused of not paying subcontractors. Back in March, the state stepped in and threatened legal action. It was resolved, and people were paid. But, now it seems to be happening again

INDOT told Call 6 Investigates it won't delay the project, and that its June 28, 2017, completion date is still on track.