Public Meetings Will Be Held Next Week on Mid-States Corridor Project

FROM LOCAL SOURCES 

JASPER -- The Mid-States Corridor Regional Development Authority (RDA) and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) are conducting 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 Mid-States Corridor is anticipated to begin at SR 66 near the William H. Natcher Bridge crossing the Ohio River at Rockport, continue generally through the Huntingburg and Jasper area and extend north to connect to Interstate 69.

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is expected to be published this fall and will identify a preferred corridor. A Record of Decision (ROD) is 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.

The Mid-States Corridor Project examines the concept of an improved highway connection in southern Indiana. The Mid-States Corridor Regional Development Authority and the Indiana Department of Transportation are conducting the required Tier 1 Environmental Study for the project to determine a preferred corridor. Find more information at www.midstatescorridor.com.

Three public meetings are scheduled for February for the Mid-States Corridor Project, which examines the concept of an improved highway connection in southern Indiana. The meetings will provide an update on the Tier 1 environmental study underway.

Meetings are planned for Loogootee, Bedford and Jasper for the following dates and locations:

Tuesday, Feb. 18: Loogootee High School          

201 Brooks Ave., Loogootee, IN           

Wednesday, Feb. 19: Bedford Middle School

1501 N St., Bedford, IN

Thursday, Feb. 20: Jasper Middle School

3600 N. Portersville Rd., Jasper, IN                                

The public meetings are scheduled 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. ET and will feature an open house format. A presentation is planned for 6 p.m. each night. Project team members will be at multiple stations to answer questions and questionnaires will be available to gather public input.

The Screening Report will posted on the project website, www.midstatescorridor.com, in advance of the meetings.

With advance notice, INDOT will provide accommodations for persons with disabilities with regards to participation and access to project information as part of the hearings process including arranging auxiliary aids, interpretation services for the hearing impaired, services for the sight impaired and other services as needed. In addition, INDOT will provide accommodations for persons of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) requiring auxiliary aids including language interpretation services and document conversion. Should accommodation be required please contact Rickie Clark, INDOT Office of Public Involvement at (317) 232-6601, or email [email protected].