$200 billion available for public-private partnerships like I-67 proposal
The I-67 Board met Tuesday morning to discuss progress made towards the feasibility study. INDOT Commissioner Mike Cline was in attendance with local county commissioners, business leaders from Dubois, Daviess and Spencer Counties, Owensboro leaders.
The presentation discussed safety, economic and traffic counts concerning U.S. 231 and the proposed I-67 connection to I-69.
Hank Menke, President of the I-67 Development Corporation, stated, “We saw preliminary numbers on safety, Indiana travel inputs, and stakeholder analysis for the new I-67 Corridor. The final report is still several weeks away as a new two state model is being developed.”
Menke stated the economics of the corridor are a proven fact. The infrastructure is the first thing industry looks at when considering an area for economic development.
Early traffic statistics for Indiana look promising to support the I-67 project but traffic studies have not been released from Kentucky yet. Menke contends politics is playing a role in keeping slowing the process. Owensboro supports the I-67 project but is vying for money with two other major road projects; a new bridge in Louisville and a new bridge to Henderson.
Menke is still very positive about the project despite the politics and the county council’s recent decision to not assist in funding the feasibility studies for the road. Huntingburg, Jasper, Owensboro and Daviess County assisted in funding the study.
One factor that surprised Menke was the dangerous nature of U.S. 231. “I was really blown away by the safety numbers for traveling on 231, they are well above the national average (concerning injuries and deaths due to accidents),” he said.
The study is being conducted by Cambridge Systematics and the presentation on Tuesday included an overview of public and private partnerships (P3).
“We found out there is a pool out there with $150 billion to $200 billion looking to invest in P3’s.” Menke stated about the private interest in these partnerships.
I hope that the cities and other supporters in Kentucky realize that if Menke gets the part north of I-64 or something else done that he will drop the the rest of the project and leave them hanging. That part is the only one that he wants and just is using the rest of it to get what he wants.
We will post the plan soon. Here is an earlier article that may add to the conversation. http://www.duboiscountyfreepress.com/i-67-coalition-not-...
And no one ever mentions the business at the Dale Interchange that will be affected. They all spent money on new facilities and invested in the community just to be cut off when 231 is upgraded to interstate status. How are they going to be compensated?
I don't know how you support that statement Michael. Do you have facts to back that up?
The studies show the area needs a north route to Indy/Chicago/Michigan and a direct route south to be of use. The data shows both a north and south route are needed. I will also point the vast numbers of large and mid level businesses that support this. The dingle out Mr. Menke is incorrect as you would need to single out Kimball, IFI, Jasper Engines, the businesses and people with the Jasper Action Team, elected officials Mark Messmer, Sue Ellspermann, Terry Seitz and Denny Spinner.
Even the local TEA Party groups (Spencer, Dubois, Martin, and Warrick county groups) understand the benefit to economic development though not an active supporter. Funding is the biggest issue it seems. Details like what Edward points out is a year away. Right now it is in the study phase. Odds are there would be an exit for Dale. and the businesses near I-64. That isn't diffcult to plan for.
Menke is the one I singled out because it is his name that is in just about every article. As for the rest of your comment anyone with half of a brain knows that if the state did not quit on the 231 project we would not be having this conversation. You said yourself that we should not let 40 miles of Interstate stand in the way of progress in a past comment or letter to the editor. With that statement said someone can say that is the only part of the project that you care about. You are right in saying that ther will be an exit at Dale but it is more likely to be put at where old 231 crosses the road or where 62 goes into Dale. If that happens the restaurants that just built there will be cut off in a way that there will not be a direct way to get to them. They will lose money because people will not want to wind around to get to them.
Don't forget the there is a hotel, gas station, and even All Season's Lawn Equipment that will be affected. You also have Winkler & Sons, a hardwood company, Sexton Equipment, and a trucking company that will loose access to a highway and it will hinder any future development at that intersection. The hotel has already seen some of the impact that moving Hwy 231 has had. Let us not forget they used to be a Baymont Inn but when the highway moved they weren't close enough to keep that status and are now a Best Western. Even AK Steel, AEP, and the proposed gasification plant are going to be affected. INDOT is not going to create an offramp just for them. People are going to have to go a round about way to get to them. In the end we might lose all those jobs. Why do you think McDonald's is building in Ferdinand and not Dale? It's because they don't want to deal with the future impact. You are all just considering Dubois County economics because it won't affect our industrial access, it doesn't seem like you care about Spencer County. Even if this doesn't go through, Kentucky is going to give Owensboro access to I-69 so they win either way. For this area to grow the whole area needs to come together, it's bigger than Jasper & Huntingburg.
There's a pool out there of $150 to $200 billion available for this project? From where? The Tooth Fairy? is Hal Menke on crack? Indiana is in the midst of procuring the Ohio River Bridges project. INDOT will not be looking at this one for a very long time.
@Victor, that pool is from private investors willing to invest in public/private partnerships like what we have with the Indiana Toll Road.