Back in 1917, the Indiana legislature created the first state highway commission by passing the Indiana Highway Act of 1917. The law immediately faced a court challenge, calling into question its constitutionality. By the time the dust settled on the case, the legislature had repealed the 1917 law. Lawmakers replaced it with an improved version that took effect on March 10, 1919. The Indiana State Highway Commission held its first letting for 13 federal aid projects on July 15, 1919.
In 1924, a small group of highway contractors banded together to form the Indiana Association of Highway and Municipal Contractors to stabilize Indiana’s construction industry and provide a unified voice for contractors. The organization now goes by Indiana Constructors, Inc. (ICI), but its mission is still very much the same.
During his address at the association’s first state convention in December 1924, then Executive Secretary Bill Holland explained how right-of-way difficulties prompted him to contact the Indiana State Highway Commission to find a solution that worked for both contractors and the agency.
According to minutes from the Indiana Association of Highway and Municipal Contractors, Inc. on Dec. 8, 1924, “Immediately following discussion on the subject of right-of-way and in connection therewith, reference was made to Sec. 46, Page 20 of the standard specifications of the Indiana State Highway Commission, adopted in 1923, Section 46 having reference to failure to complete work on time. A motion was introduced, seconded, and unanimously carried to the effect that the Chairman of the Board of Directors appoint a committee of four to meet with the State Highway Commission, preferably the whole commission, but in any event with the Director and members of the commission available, to discuss the right-of-way question and Section 46 of the specification, with the view of acquainting the State Highway Commission with our point of view and seeking from the commission a justification for its policies with reference thereto. The Chairman appointed A.L. Deniston, M.P. O’Connor, W.M. Willmore, and Fred Cunningham.”
And so the signature Joint Cooperative Committee was born. As ICI celebrates its centennial year in 2024, the association is honoring that 100-year relationship with the state transportation agency.
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Throughout the years, the agency and association solved problems together. During the Great Depression, the State Highway Commission issued IOUs bearing 6 percent interest instead of contract payments. The association created guidance for its members during the lean years, recommending a nine-hour workday and a minimum wage of 35 cents per hour, which the State Highway Commission accepted.
During World War II, the association negotiated special contract provisions with the State Highway Commission in case its projects were interrupted by the war.
And during the construction of the interstate highway system, both the association and the State Highway Commission worked to design, fund, and build what would become known as the Crossroads of America.
Today’s ICI/Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Joint Cooperative Committee builds on years of tradition. Through a rigid committee and meeting structure, ICI members and INDOT personnel can keep up with technical opportunities and challenges facing Hoosier roads and road builders. For the purposes of the ICI/INDOT Joint Cooperative Committee, the state is divided into northern, central, and southern regions with rotating planning committees who set the agenda for region meetings.
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| SITECH Ohio |
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| SITECH Mid-South |
There are also subcommittees that work in the specialized areas of bridges, disadvantaged business enterprises, environmental topics, erosion control, utility coordination, and work zone safety. These subcommittees propose agenda topics for region and statewide meetings, focusing on technical improvements that impact road workers, Indiana taxpayers, and motorists alike.
Each round of region meetings fuels the agenda for two statewide gatherings each year, where field area experts can share their experiences and expertise on critical industry issues.
In 2019, collaboration turned a new corner.
Leadership from INDOT, the American Council of Engineering Companies of Indiana, and ICI came together to create the Indiana Transportation Team (ITT). Founded on the idea that the state agency, consulting engineers, and contractors needed to find the best ways to work together to deliver road and bridge projects, ITT has since taken on a life of its own.
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Aimed at people who are out in the field or actively managing road construction projects, ITT focuses on the premise that it’s much easier to solve problems if you know and trust the person at the other end of the phone call.
Through regional gatherings based on the INDOT districts Crawfordsville, Fort Wayne, Greenfield, LaPorte, Seymour, and Vincennes, team members from each background collaborate to provide grassroots solutions to common issues and to network with their peers. There’s also a central steering committee tasked with communicating deliverables and encouraging districts to uniformly use approved policies and procedures.
Typically, each region hosts spring and fall business meetings and a summer social event. The entire team converges in Indianapolis in December for the ITT Partnering Conference. This day-long gathering of 600 Hoosier road builders features guest speakers, district presentations, and plenty of time for networking. What’s familiarly called “The Shindig” closes out the road building season on a high note.
The 2024 ITT Partnering conference is scheduled for December 19 and will feature presentations on district deliverables including change orders, work zone best practices, letting processes, utilities, maintenance of traffic after letting, workforce development, funding, and safety initiatives.
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One of the association’s greatest successes is its collaborative relationship with INDOT and its predecessors. Working together, we can continue to build and maintain the highways, roads, and bridges that will keep Indiana moving forward into the next century.
