Public Meetings Begin Monday Night on Mid-States Corridor Project

FROM LOCAL SOURCES 

AREA WIDE -- The Mid-States Corridor Project examines the concept of an improved highway connection in southwest Indiana. The Mid-States Corridor is anticipated to begin at the William H. Natcher Bridge crossing of the Ohio River near Rockport, continue generally through the Huntingburg and Jasper area and extend north to connect to Interstate 69 (either directly or via SR 37).

The Mid-States Corridor Regional Development Authority (RDA) and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) have started a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for major construction projects that will include federal funding.

The Tier 1 EIS will include the following:

  • Analysis and comparison of benefits, impacts and costs of a range of reasonable options to identify a preferred corridor for the proposed facility
  • Assessment of the social, economic and environmental impacts of each corridor, along with consideration of ways to avoid, minimize or mitigate impacts
  • Identification of the project’s purpose and need, and consideration of a variety of options to meet both, including improvements to and use of existing facilities and construction of new roadway facilities
  • Analysis of a no-build alternative to serve as a baseline for comparison

The Tier 1 EIS is expected to take just over two years to complete with a Record of Decision (ROD) expected in summer 2021. The ROD is the Federal Highway Administration’s final approval of the preferred corridor.

After a Tier 1 ROD, a more detailed Tier 2 environmental study will determine specific alignments and preferred alternatives within the selected Tier 1 corridor.

Public Meetings Scheduled

Public involvement is a key part of the environmental study process. The first of several public meetings are planned for early August. The meetings will introduce members of the community to the Mid-States Corridor Project, explain the tiered study approach, describe the potential preliminary corridors and introduce ways for the public to stay informed and provide feedback.

Meetings are planned for Washington, French Lick and Jasper at the following locations:


Monday, Aug. 5: Washington High School           

608 E. Walnut St., Washington, IN                            

Auditorium (Enter through Gate 4 off 7th St.)

5:30pm to 7:00pm (local time)           


Tuesday Aug. 6: Springs Valley High School

326 S. Larry Bird Blvd., French Lick, IN

Cafeteria

5:30pm to 7:00pm (local time)


Thursday, Aug. 8: Jasper High School

1600 St. Charles St., Jasper IN

Cafeteria

5:30pm to 7:00pm (local time)


Each meeting feature an open house format. A short project presentation is planned for 6 p.m. each evening. Project team members will be at multiple stations to answer questions and comment cards will be available to offer public input. Additional public meetings will be held at project milestones.

Find more information regarding the Mid-States Corridor project including how to sign up for e-newsletters, text alerts, social media updates and to learn about the project office location/hours of operation please visit www.midstatescorridor.com.