The I-69 interstate project began more than 10 years ago to connect Evansville to Indianapolis, and construction soon will begin on the final section.

Construction on the last leg is expected to start in early 2020 in Martinsville and head north to Indianapolis. The section is expected to open to traffic by the end of 2024.

The Indiana Department of Transportation project will cost about $1.5 billion, upgrading the existing Ind. 37 to interstate standards from the Indian Creek bridge south of Martinsville to I-465 in Indianapolis. The project also will produce 26 miles of new highway and 35 lane miles of new local access roads, according to INDOT.

Three project update meetings are scheduled this month in communities affected by the construction. Officials will share the expected schedule, provide design updates and answer questions from the public.

Each meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. with a presentation at 6 p.m. The rest of the time is an open-house format.

Oct. 21: Martinsville High School (cafeteria), 1360 E. Gray St., Martinsville. 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Martinsville High School (cafeteria), 1360 E. Gray St., Martinsville. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 22: Center Grove High School (auditorium), 2717 S. Morgantown Road, Greenwood. 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Center Grove High School (auditorium), 2717 S. Morgantown Road, Greenwood. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 24: Perry Meridian High School (auditorium), 401 W. Meridian School Road., Indianapolis. 5:30-7:30 p.m.

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"People will be able to take part in surveys — depending on what meeting they’re at for their area — about the aesthetics of the project, such as pedestrian walkways and different light fixtures," said INDOT media director Mallory Duncan.

Other improvements for this part of the project include rehabilitating 35 bridges and constructing 39 new ones, removing traffic signals, constructing overpasses and underpasses, and establishing interstate access points. For Section 6 alone, hundreds of parcels of homes, businesses and land will be affected.

The process for the lengthy I-69 project hasn't always been smooth. During the Section 5 construction that stretched from Bloomington to Martinsville, the state was forced to terminate a contract with the private company in charge of designing and building the portion after multiple delays pushed the project completion two years late.

Contact IndyStar reporter Kellie Hwang at 317-444-6032 or kellie.hwang@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter: @KellieHwang.