County officials discuss potential relinquishment of U.S. 231 from state control

County Commissioners briefly discussed an Indiana Department of Transportation proposal for the cities and county to take over portions of US 231 that run through Dubois County, including sections in Huntingburg and Jasper.

Commissioner Chad Blessinger told the other commissioners that the disposition of the road was discussed during a recent meeting between county officials, highway personnel, and other municipal representatives. The state is proposing the transfer in conjunction with developing the Mid-States Corridor project.

“This was the first conversation regarding relinquishment of that asset, meaning they’d like to give it to the city, cities and the county if the Mid-States Corridor project comes through,” Blessinger said.

According to documents shared at the meeting, Dubois County would be responsible for approximately 10.4 miles of the highway, while Huntingburg would receive 3.38 miles and Jasper would take on 5.91 miles.

The state has presented two potential options for the transfer. In the first scenario, the state would maintain responsibility for the highway until the Mid-States Corridor is completed, then turn it over to local control with some financial compensation.

Alternatively, local governments could take control of the highway immediately, receiving a larger financial package but assuming immediate responsibility for maintenance and management.

Blessinger characterized the talks as “very preliminary” but important as a starting point for future negotiations.

The potential transfer raises significant maintenance concerns, particularly regarding the highway’s infrastructure.

“There’s several big bridges on there that we’re gonna have to take care of,” County Highway Superintendent Donnie Lueken told commissioners.

One potential advantage discussed is that if the county takes over the highway, it could apply county road standards rather than more stringent state highway standards.

The meeting also included updates on the broader Mid-States Corridor project, which continues to move forward “robustly.” Officials report that multiple meetings have been held with county residents and stakeholders to discuss potential interchange locations and road configurations.

Officials acknowledge that the project will create challenges for some residents who may find their usual routes altered or dead-ended by the new corridor.

“People could argue all day about what’s the benefit versus what’s the negative,” Blessinger said. “One of the negative would be some people are going to be adversely impacted because they’re so used to going down county road whatever, and in some places county road whatever will now be dead-ended and you have to go a different direction.”

Commissioners encouraged affected property owners to contact the Lochmueller Group, the engineering firm working on the project, to address specific access concerns. Information can be found here.