Letter: It is time for the Mid-States Corridor
Dubois County has a rich history and a strong sense of community rooted in hard work, faith, family, and innovation. As Lieutenant Governor and District 74 State Representative, I had the privilege of working alongside many of you to chart a course that positions our communities for generational success.
Governor Braun joins a long line of leaders who have recognized that transportation infrastructure is essential for building and sustaining economic stability. It supports business growth, strengthens supply chains, and expands access to talent. The Mid-States Corridor, specifically, will also improve our quality of life by significantly reducing accidents, travel time, and truck traffic through our beautiful downtowns.
While Governor Braun may turn the first shovel of dirt on the Mid-states Corridor, many people have worked for decades to make this vital transportation link a reality.
Concerns about U.S. 231 in Dubois County date back to the late 1950s with the former State Highway Commission. In the 1970s, Jasper officials proposed a north-south bypass. Governor Evan Bayh included a Jasper-Huntingburg bypass in his 10-year highway plan in 1990. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) advanced bypass plans again in 2000, a project that was eventually sidelined in 2010 when Major Moves funding was exhausted.
In 2013, Governor Pence appointed me co-chair of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation Infrastructure to identify Indiana’s priority transportation projects for the next decade. It was this statewide committee of business and community leaders supported by transportation experts who prioritized the Mid-States Corridor. n 2018, I was asked to serve on the governing board of the newly formed Mid-States Corridor Regional Development Authority (RDA) by Dubois and Spencer County governing bodies.
Governor Eric Holcomb’s administration partnered with our region through the Mid-States Corridor RDA to complete the Tier 1 Environmental Study, culminating in the Federal Highway Administration’s approval. INDOT is currently completing the Tier 2 Study, selecting a final alignment, designing and advancing the project to construction.
Some ask, if this road is so important, why has it taken so long? I-69 through southern Indiana has also taken a long time with the final section, the ORX bridge, finally underway. As a result of it, we are seeing momentum build with investments in Elberfeld and Washington. Just days ago, ground was broken on the American Center for Manufacturing and Innovation’s new National Security Industrial hub at Crane Naval Base.
Others suggest the $1B price tag is too high. By comparison, the I-69 ORX bridge is estimated to cost $1.2B. The primary funding will be provided by the federal government, followed by the State of Indiana. And, waiting longer will only increase costs. Had we completed this project in the 60’s, 80’s or 2000’s, it would have been a fraction of the current cost.
The most difficult reality of the Mid-States Corridor is the loss of homes, property, and farmland along the route. Unfortunately, that is the case with all new infrastructure. While owners will receive market-rate compensation, money will not replace their loss. We will owe them a great debt of gratitude for their sacrifice and should do all we can to minimize the property impacted.
I invite you to learn more about the road, the proposed intersections, and provide feedback (www.MidstatesCorridor.com). Further, INDOT seeks your feedback to ensure the best design and outcome. Many participated in their October Open House. Future opportunities are being scheduled, and the Lochmueller Group continues to host office hours at VUJC.
The Mid-States Corridor is not simply a road project; it is a generational investment in the long-term health, quality of life, and resilience of our communities. After decades of analysis, planning, and waiting, we now have an opportunity to secure transportation infrastructure that will support families, strengthen industry, and expand opportunity for years to come.
Sue Ellspermann
Ferdinand
