INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb marked the completion of a $4 billion, 142-mile extension of a major interstate highway Tuesday, calling it a “historic milestone” 16 years after work began on the project.

Holcomb’s two predecessors — former Vice President Mike Pence and former Gov. Mitch Daniels — joined him at a morning ceremony on Indianapolis’ southwest side, hours before Interstate 69’s southbound ramps to Interstate 465 were scheduled to open to traffic. Northbound ramps are set to open as soon as Friday.

Holcomb called the completion of the extension’s 26-mile (42-kilometer) Martinsville-to-Indianapolis segment a “historic milestone.” It’s the final stretch of the 142-mile (229-kilometer) I-69 extension from Evansville to Indianapolis whose construction began in 2008. Some work on pavement and bridges will continue through the rest of the year in the Indianapolis area.

Before work on the extension began, I-69 ran from the Canadian border at Port Huron, Michigan, south to Indianapolis. Completion of the final link means it now runs continuously from Port Huron to Evansville.

The project spanned the administrations of Daniels, Pence and Holcomb, all Republicans. The highway, which was built in six segments, faced legal challenges from environmental groups but those failed to scuttle the project.

“There were a lot of cynics along the way, a lot of doubters that understandably wondered if it would be completed in their lifetimes,” Holcomb told reporters Tuesday, The Indianapolis Star reported. “Today we prove that no project is too big.”

While work on the extension began in southwestern Indiana in 2008, construction of the final section that now runs between Martinsville and Indianapolis didn’t begin until 2019.

That $2 billion final stretch upgraded 26 miles (42 kilometers) of State Road 37 to interstate standards and included construction of 10 new interchanges and more than 35 lane miles (56 kilometers) of local access roads through Morgan, Johnson and Marion Counties.

It’s the first $2 Tuesday of the Indiana State Fair. If you’re looking to experience all the fair has to offer on a budget, today is the perfect day to go.

Here’s what to know.

Every food vendor offers a smaller portion of a menu item for $2 and rides at the Midway will offer $2 rides which makes it a great way to sample all that the fair has to offer.

Your ticket for admission is also $2 on both Tuesdays during the fair. Children aged 5 or under get into the fair for free daily.

Indiana State Fair deals: Save money with these 2024 freebies and discounts

Here is the full schedule of events for Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Van Halen Tribute will perform on the Free Stage at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Secure your ticket online at indianastatefair.com/p/tickets.

At the fairgrounds: Each day at the Indiana State Fair has a theme. Here’s when they all are for 2024

It is expected to be another hot and humid day, according to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis. The forecast says it will be sunny and hot, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 101.

So if you are heading to the fairgrounds, be sure to wear sunscreen, drink a lot of water and keep an eye out for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

We may also see some scattered thunderstorms later in the afternoon and evening, with more severe weather possible tonight. Lightning and damaging wind gusts are the main threats.

Cheryl V. Jackson contributed to this report.

Katie Wiseman is a trending news reporter at IndyStar. Contact her at klwiseman@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @itskatiewiseman.

HAMMOND, Ind. (CBS) — A Chicago family has been searching for answers and accountability after a man was struck and killed by a car on the Indiana Toll Road (I-90) last week.

Ronald Sterling, a longtime Chicago Transit Authority bus driver, was killed in a crash on the westbound lanes of the toll road this past Thursday morning. His family still has questions about what happened.

“We are trying to put it together,” said niece Melinda Sanders. “We are trying to make it make sense.”

Sterling was the heartbeat of his family. He died just days before his 75th birthday.

“His birthday is in two days, and instead of us planning his 75th birthday, we got to plan a funeral,” said daughter Latasha Sterling. “My daddy didn’t deserve that.”

Indiana State Police said Sterling was traveling west on the toll road, west of Cline Avenue, when he crashed into the center concrete barrier wall.

The impact was so strong that Sterling’s Honda spun around to face north. Sterling got out of his car, at which point Indiana State Police said his wrecked car was struck by the driver of a sport-utility vehicle.

Sterling died on scene.

“I’m hurt. I’m mad. I’m confused,” said Latasha Sterling. “I want to know what happened. We’re not getting no answers.”

Indiana State Police said a 20-year-old from Oak Park was behind the wheel of the SUV that hit and killed Sterling. That driver was treated and released from a hospital for his injuries.

“He needs to be accountable for taking a life,” Sanders said.

CBS News Chicago is not identifying the young man from Oak Park, as he has not been charged with a crime.

“We want justice,” Sanders said. “My uncle was not a roadkill. He had a family that loved him unconditionally.”

Indiana State Police said the 20-year-old driver’s toxicology results are still pending, and it could be weeks before the crash reconstruction is completed. All that information will then be handed to the Lake County, Indiana prosecutor, who will determine if charges are warranted.