Three design-build teams will compete over the best plan to modernize about 14 miles of I-65 pavement and bridges between Seymour and Columbus.

The contracting teams responded earlier this month to an Indiana Department of Transportation request for qualifications.

The teams are E&B Paving Inc. with lead engineer United Consulting Engineers Inc.; Milestone Contractors L.P. with lead engineer Parsons Transportation Group Inc.; and Rieth-Riley Construction Co. Inc. with lead engineer AECOM.

The I-65 project involves major pavement rehabilitation and upgrades to several bridges between U.S. 50 at Exit 50 and State Road 58 at Exit 64. Construction would begin in 2017 following design work.

Unlike a traditional low-bid contract, INDOT will challenge the private teams to deliver the best taxpayer value for a fixed price. The project budget will be defined in a request for proposals INDOT publishes later this year. The request for proposals will include performance-based technical requirements to ensure motorists receive a quality product.

Similar design-build best-value contracts are being used for Major Moves 2020 projects on I-65 in northwest Indiana and I-69 northeast of Indianapolis. In December 2015, the state approved a proposal that extended the I-69 improvements another five miles north to Pendleton, delivering 18 percent more value for taxpayers.

Information is available at in.gov/dot/div/contracts/65se/65SE.htm.