Maps, Mid-States Corridor draft published

The Mid-States Corridor Project Team has identified Alternative P as the preferred route for the improved highway connection in southern Indiana.

The comment period has opened now. There is information on how to comment below.

The Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was released today, marking a significant project milestone.

Alternative P improvements extend 54 miles from I-64/US 231 to I-69 at the existing US 231 interchange. Alternative P travels east of Huntingburg and Jasper, avoiding developed areas in those cities.

It generally runs parallel to and west of US 231 in Martin and Daviess counties. It includes a western bypass of Loogootee and ends at the existing I-69 interchange at US 231. A total of nine local improvements along existing US 231 are included with the alternative.

Among the alternatives adequately addressing the Purpose and Need of the project (Alternatives P, M and O), Alternative P includes the lowest impacts to environmental resources and has the lowest cost. It also has a comparably low level of impacts to several key resources including the smallest impacts to wetlands and no impacts to karst features.

Here are maps but high resolution maps can be downloaded at the DEIS website. Click here to view the DEIS

The purpose of the Mid-States Corridor project is to provide an improved transportation link between the US 231/SR 66 intersection and I-69. It improves business and regional connectivity in Dubois County and southern Indiana and improves highway connections to existing major multi-modal locations from southern Indiana.

The DEIS is a detailed document that summarizes the Mid-States Corridor project’s study process, analysis and findings. The DEIS assesses the benefits, impacts and costs of the alternatives. It includes the basis for the selection of the preferred alternative and key commitments associated with the project.

The DEIS is posted on the project website. Hard copies are also available for review at several area locations. Click here for a list of locations.

Along with announcing the DEIS, Lochmueller Group stated the right-of-way has not yet been determined. The preferred alternative identified is a 2,000-foot wide corridor that will be narrowed down to 200 to 500 feet in the Tier 2 study. However, there is now timetable set for the start of the Tier 2 study. Once started the Tier 2 study will take about two years to complete. Additionally, the work on U.S. 231 that was funded last year has not been scheduled, yet.

DEIS Comment Period
The DEIS comment period runs through May 31, 2022. Comments can be made in person at one of two public hearings, through a comment form at the Project Office, by mail, by email (info@midstatescorridor.com) or directly through the project website.

All comment channels receive equal consideration. The Project Team will review all comments and responses to comments will be included in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).

Public Hearings
Public hearings are being held near Crane and in Jasper, and each will include a public comment period:

Tuesday, April 26                                           Thursday, April 28
WestGate Academy (Crane)                          Jasper Arts Center
13598 East WestGate Drive                           951 College Avenue
Odon, IN                                                          Jasper, IN

The hearings are 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. with a presentation at 6 p.m. A public comment period will follow the presentation. Comments will be limited to two minutes per person and speakers will need to sign up on the night of the hearing prior to the comment period.