Latest news with #BlakeDollier
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Indy 500-themed welcome center nearing the finish line
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The Greatest Spectacle in Racing returns for its 109th running this May. During May, the entire Hoosier state rallies together for the greatest 500 miles in motorsports. In Vigo County, a special Indy 500-themed welcome center is rounding turn four as it's nearing completion. 'This is kind of a chance to get a look at the greatest spectacle in welcome centers,' said Blake Dollier, Indiana Department of Transportation Public Relations Director for the West Central Office. Here on I-70 just past the Indiana and Illinois state line, you may not hear the sounds of a V-6 twin turbo engine whipping around a 2.5-mile track, but you can hear the sounds of crews making their final touches on the nearly $53 million Indy 500-themed Clear Creek Welcome Center. 'This is something people are going to drive in Indiana into the crossroads of America and get to experience the many traditions our state has to offer, all quiet literally under one roof. This is something we have been working on for quite some time. It's been a long time, and we are really kind of approaching that finish line and checkered flag of completion on this welcome center,' said Dollier. Dollier said this isn't just a welcome center but rather a tourist attraction for people driving through the Hoosier state. 'It's Indy 500 themed, telling the history of the state and the greatest spectacle in racing. Again, we like to think of this as the greatest spectacle in welcome centers because you have the Borg Warner trophy out front and different memorabilia from the Indy 500… How exciting, as well, is this for Vigo County and the surrounding area. It's like a mini tourist attraction where you get to experience the month of May and experience the Indy 500,' said Dollier. He also added that the new renovations to the center will also give more truck drivers spaces for a quick pit stop. 'This is also part of the state of Indiana's plan to increase truck parking. We have 178 truck parking spaces that are going to be available at the Clear Creek Welcome Center. And, with that being said, that's about an increase of almost 80 spaces,' said Dollier. INDOT said they expect the final laps on this project to be completed sometime this summer. 'We are really proud of the work that has been done on this facility, and we are really excited to continue to be able to showcase that as things get opened up and as things get moving… We just encourage everybody to get your hopes up and come out and see this if you get a chance once things are open. We really, really look forward to it,' said Dollier. Once the welcome center opens, it will not only feature a replica of the Indy 500 winning trophy, the Borg Warner, but it will also feature a scoring pylon and an IndyCar. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Road construction on I-70 continues in Terre Haute
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Road work on Interstate 70, around Terre Haute, continues with bridges and roads being replaced in several areas. Public Relations Director for the Indiana Department of Transportation, Blake Dollier, said projects are beginning to finish up, including work over Robinson Road. 'We're about to open that to traffic, to the normal configuration that I-70 is', Dollier said. 'Drivers can expect that will be the normal stretch of roadway that you're used to in that area. The lanes have been paved, we just need to re-stripe that. That work will take place at nighttime because we may have to close some individual lanes.' What used to be a bridge there, is now a tunnel. 'The structure work in that area is also complete', Dollier said. 'You've seen the bridge, probably, in that location, is now a tunnel. That tunnel work has been completed as well. That is something that looks really nice and we're really proud of our crews for getting that work done.' Dollier said construction on the bridge over Sidenbender Road is also nearing completion. 'We've begun pouring walls and we'll begin setting the structure on the Sidenbender Road bridge on I-70 here in the next couple of weeks', Dollier said. 'Traffic is still on the temporary bridge, on the westbound side, near the nine-mile marker. A few months are left on that, as we need to continue doing some work there in the median.' Last week was National Work Zone Awareness Week, promoting safe driving habits around dangerous areas. Dollier said the Indiana Department of Transportation wants to again remind drivers to take caution as road work continues. 'Treat it like it is National Work Zone Awareness Week every single day that you are out on the roadways', Dollier said. 'Use caution, slow down, and avoid distracted driving throughout those construction zones.' The Indiana Department of Transportation has a website and an app to help drivers plan their routes and be aware of work zones. You can visit their website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
INDOT shares possible plans to popular intersection in Vigo County
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Tuesday evening, INDOT hosted a public information meeting for a proposed improvement plan in Vigo County. The proposed plan involves the intersection of U.S. 41 and Dixie Bee, also known as the access road to the Wabash Valley Dragway and Chick-Fil-A. The need for this project comes from an increase in opportunities for crashes, due to unrestricted turning and movements. There have been a total of 148 crashes between 2018 to 2024. Earth Day Festival to be held at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods The improvements will involve construction of a slotted left turn lane along northbound U.S. 41. This will restrict crossing movements between Dixie Bee and Towne South Plaza, restrict left turns from Dixie Bee onto northbound U.S. 41, and left turns from southbound U.S. 41 to Towne South Plaza. 'So, what that would do is it would reduce the intersection to 48 potential conflict points down to 8. Enhancing the safety and making it a right out, right out only intersection at that point,' Public Relations Director with INDOT West Central Blake Dollier said. INDOT is proposing to start this project in 2026, but is subject to change. For those interested in commenting on this proposed project can do so by visiting INDOT's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
National Work Zone Awareness Week
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The weather has warmed up and for some, that means more traveling, but for the Indiana Department of Transportation, that means more road construction. Blake Dollier, Public Relations Director for the Indiana Department of Transportation, said the numbers are staggering. 'In 2024 alone, there were over 7,000 crashes that occurred in work zones or work zone backups', Dollier said. 'There were over 1500 injuries that occurred in work zones and work zones backups, in addition to 30 fatalities. That is simply too many. We are working tirelessly, day in and day out, to protect our workers and to protect the drivers and their passengers.' One highway maintenance technician, Matt Schalburg, said he has seen a number of work zone accidents, and the most common issue is distractions. 'Basically, it's not paying attention', Schalburg said. 'It's inattention from everything from a cell phone to, I've actually seen, people with a newspaper spread across the steering wheel as they are driving through zones.' To bring the issue to light, the Indiana Department of Transportation has deemed this week National Work Zone Awareness Week. They are looking to shed light on safe driving habits as work zones increase across the state. 'As you go out into your travels, make sure you are aware of the work zones that are happening, abiding by the posted speed limit, avoiding distracted driving, and doing everything you possibly can to keep yourself safe and keep our crews safe out on the roadway', Dollier said. The Indiana Department of Transportation has a website and an app to help drivers plan their routes and be aware of work zones. You can visit their website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
