(FRENCH LICK ) – The second INDOT public meeting on the Mid-States Corridor, a proposed connection from the William H. Natcher Bridge which will extend north to connect to Interstate 69, was held in French Lick Tuesday night. The final meeting will be held in Jasper on Thursday.
The Mid-States Corridor Regional Development Authority (RDA) and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) are completing the required Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement for the Mid-States Corridor Project. The study will determine a preferred corridor.
The study will include:
- 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 migrate impacts.
- Identification of the project’s purpose and need, and consideration of a variety of options to meet both, including improvements to the use of existing facilities and construction of new roadway facilities.
- Analysis of a no-build alternative to serve as a baseline for comparison.
- Public Involvement, including opportunities to participate and comment.
- Coordination and consultation with local, state and federal agencies.
The Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement is expected to take just over two years to complete with a Record of Decision expected in the summer of 2021. The Record of Decision is the Federal Highway Administration’s final approval of the preferred corridor.
Following the Tier 1 Record of Decision, a more detailed Tier 2 study will determine specific alignments and preferred alternatives within the selected Tier 1 corridor.
Timeline:
- November or Late 2019: Define project goals and identify preliminary alternatives.
- Early 2020: Screening of alternatives with a high-level analysis of each route concept.
- Fall 2020: Draft Environmental Impact Statement, detailed analysis of the alternatives carried forward to identify a preferred corridor.
- Late 2020 or Early 2021: Full consideration of comments from agencies and the public on the Detailed Environmental Impact Statement.
- Summer of 2021: A preferred corridor is identified, and Record of Decision expected from the Federal Highway Administration.
The proposed purpose and need for the Mid-States Projects are to provide an improved transportation link between the U.S. 231/Natcher Bridge and I-69. Improving regional connectivity for business in Dubois and southern Indiana; Improving regional traffic in southern Indiana; supporting economic development in southern Indiana and improving connections to major multi-modal locations in Southern Indiana.
The public is encouraged to stay involved throughout the process and is considered a very important part of the environmental study process. There are many ways for members of the public to stay informed and share opinions. Public meetings will be held at key project milestones, and public hearings will follow publication of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, along with a formal comment period.
The public can also stop by the project office located at Vincennes University Jasper Campus Administration Building, Room 216, 850 College Avenue Jasper, IN. 47456.
These are ways to stay informed and communicate on the project: midstatescorridor.com, Facebook: Mid-States Corridor
Twitter: @ MidStatesStudy
Phone: 812-482-3116
Text: MidStates to 33222 for project alerts
Email: info@midstatescorridor.com
