Letter: Why are we wasting tax money on Mid-States Corridor?

I received an e-mail the other day from Ms. Kyanna Wheeler. PMP , Major Projects Delivery Project Manager in response to a request for an explanation as to why INDOT was continuing with the Tier 2 Study for the Mid-States Corridor. I pointed out to Ms. Wheeler that INDOT had canceled the Link 101 Corridor project due to increased estimated costs and adverse public opinion. I, also, informed Ms. Wheeler that I was sure the estimated costs had increased and that public opinion was overwhelmingly opposed to the Mid-States Corridor.

Here’s her reply, “Thank you for your inquiry and communication regarding the Mid-States Corridor project. Currently INDOT is only moving forward with a Tier 2 study for the Dubois County Section of Independent Utility to analyze further. The intent of the Tier 2 study is do narrow down the current 2,000-foot corridor to roughly ¼ of that alignment and produce estimated costs for that section of construction. This will aid in INDOT’s decision to advance this project like Link 101. The Tier 2 study is not yet started. We are finalizing our contract with our selected consulting firm. Once we have this firm under contract, this study that will estimate costs will take roughly 3 years. As we have project and cost updates, we will relay those to the public via public meetings, our project website, and social media accounts. Thank you for your continued interested in the project.”

Why should INDOT keep letting contracts and spending money on the Mid-States Corridor when the same INDOT pulled the plug on the Link 101 Corridor? Are our tax dollars different than those of Southeast Indiana? Is our opposition to a new terrain highway less worthy than the opposition over East? Or, is it something else? Could it be the long tentacles of the DuBois/Spencer County cabal? Is money talking to someone at INDOT? I don’t know but it sure seems strange that our tax dollars and our opposition doesn’t seem to matter as much as those over in Southeast Indiana.

We must continue the good fight and continue to oppose the Mid-States Corridor at every opportunity. I know we can stop this project.

Jim Arvin
Rutherford Township
Martin County