Tier 1 Environmental Study Underway on Mid-States Corridor

Work has begun on the Mid-States Corridor Project, which will examine 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

Meaningful public involvement is a key part of the environmental study process. The first Mid-States Corridor 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.)

Tuesday Aug. 6: Springs Valley High School

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

Thursday, Aug. 8: Jasper High School

1600 St. Charles St., Jasper IN
Cafeteria

The public meetings are scheduled 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. ET and will feature an open house format. A short project presentation is planned for 6 p.m. 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.

Stay in Touch

A Mid-States Corridor project office will open Monday, July 15 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
Administration Building, Room 216
850 College Ave.
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.

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.

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