Spotlight
Welcome to the first newsletter for the Mid-States Corridor Tier 2 Study. This newsletter will share study updates and information, highlight engagement opportunities, and review progress on the current study area in Dubois County, known as Section 2. For the first edition, let’s start with some background.
In 2023, the Tier 1 Study concluded with Federal Highway Administration approval of the preferred corridor identified in the Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement. The preferred corridor is approximately a 2,000-foot-wide study area which travels east of Huntingburg and Jasper. Based on benefits, impacts and costs, the alternative was selected from multiple options across a 12-county area. Options included various alternative alignments as well as an option of making no improvements or upgrades on U.S. 231. Maps of the area can be found here.
The corridor identified in Tier 1 was divided into five Sections of Independent Utility (SIU) for individual Tier 2 analysis. Section 1 uses existing U.S. 231 and does not require further study. Section 2 extends from I-64, around Huntingburg and Jasper, to S.R. 56 at Haysville. The Section 2 study launched in July 2024 and is anticipated to take approximately three years to complete. Timelines for SIUs 3, 4, and 5 have not yet been determined.
Proposed Alternatives and Access Options
Progress in Section 2 is well underway. Survey crews were able to access much of the project area before pausing for winter. Designers are analyzing traffic models to begin developing alternatives that place the 200-to-500-foot facility within the 2,000-foot-wide study area. They are also looking at various access options to determine how to connect local roads to a new road.
One of the decisions to be made in Tier 2 is a recommendation on the type of road to be built. The project team is evaluating two options:
- “Super Two-Highway” – a two-lane roadway that provides opportunities for traffic to pass safely and efficiently with periodic/alternating passing lanes. A close example resembles S.R.145 at Old S.R.145 near French Lick.
- “Four Lane Expressway” – a highway with two travel lanes in each direction. This is a more traditional type of highway like the one at U.S. 231 and S.R.62 near Dale.
What’s Next
After the project team works with state, federal and agency partners to develop alternatives, a public information meeting will be scheduled to share options with the public for feedback. This meeting is tentatively planned for spring 2025, depending on the length of the review process. The meeting will follow the standard open house format for Indiana Department of Transportation public information meetings and include exhibits that share preliminary alternatives and proposed access options. Additional meeting information will be shared soon.
Connect with Us
As 2024 draws to an end, we look forward to meeting with you in the new year. The project team hosts office hours at Vincennes University’s Jasper Campus, located at 850 College Ave. Jasper, IN, Room 216, every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. Those wishing to leave a comment or schedule an appointment can call the project office at 812-482-3116. The campus will be closed the week of Christmas and New Year’s.
Follow our progress and stay up to date on the latest project news by following the Mid-States Corridor on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter), or visit MidStatesCorridor.com to view maps, frequently asked questions and the latest project news.
Sign up for text and email alerts to be notified when the meeting is scheduled by visiting midstatescorridor.com.
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