Mid-States Corridor Project Tier 1 Environmental Study August Public Meetings Scheduled

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 7^th St.)

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

Tuesday Aug. 6: Springs Valley High School

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

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

Thursday, Aug. 8: Jasper High School

1600 St. Charles St., Jasper IN

Cafeteria at 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.

Project Office Location 

 A Mid-States Corridor project office is located at Vincennes University Jasper Campus. The office is in the Administration Building and is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, and by appointment. A project representative will be available during office hours to answer questions, and handouts and displays from the public meetings will be on site.

Mid-State Corridor Project Office

Vincennes University Jasper Campus in Administration Building, Room 216

850 College Ave. in Jasper, IN 47546

Members of the community can reach the project office by calling 812-482-3116. There are several ways to follow project progress, ask questions and offer feedback.

Find project information online at www.midstatescorridor.com.

• Sign up for project e-newsletters on the website.
• Receive project text alerts by texting “midstates” to 33222.
• Email questions and comments to info@midstatescorridor.com.

Information and updates are also provided on social media, Facebook (Mid-States Corridor) and Twitter (@MidStatesStudy).

The Mid-States Corridor Project examines the concept of an improved highway connection in Southwest 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.