The Draft Screening of Alternatives Report is now available for review.
The report shares the two alternatives being carried forward for study and describes how they were selected.
It also outlines several areas where additional variations are being considered.
The report and updated maps are available on the project website.
A printed copy of the report can be viewed at these locations:
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Mid-States Corridor Project Office, 850 College Ave., Jasper, IN
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Indiana Department of Transportation, Vincennes District, 3650 Old US Hwy 41, Vincennes, IN 47591
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Jasper Public Library, 100 Third Ave, Jasper, IN 47546
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Huntingburg Public Library, 419 N Jackson St, Huntingburg, IN
The draft report will be the subject of a public information meeting to be held on Wednesday, October 22, at 5:30 p.m., at Jasper Middle School (3600 N. Portersville Rd., Jasper, IN 47546).
The meeting will present the alternatives being carried forward and give members of the public an opportunity to learn more, discuss access options with the project team, and provide feedback on proposed corridor alternatives.
At the meeting, attendees will be able to:
✅ Review alternatives being carried forward
✅ See potential access options
✅ Provide feedback
The comment period for the Draft Screening of Alternatives Report will close on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. We look forward to seeing and hearing from you!
Archaeological Survey Underway
As part of the Mid-States Corridor Tier 2 Study, archaeological fieldwork is currently underway in Section 2 to help identify and protect cultural resources, artifacts, and sites that may hold historical or community significance. This survey work is part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and is required by federal and state laws that protect historically significant sites.
Note to property owners:
The archaeological field surveys will continue for four to six more weeks, weather permitting, and are being conducted by trained archaeological professionals.
What Are the Flags For?
If you’ve noticed small colored utility flags placed in your yard or within the corridor study area, these mark the locations of underground utilities such as gas lines, water pipes, and fiber-optic cables. These flags ensure that survey teams avoid damaging critical infrastructure while conducting their work. Property owners are encouraged to leave the flags in place and mow around them until a shovel pit test has been completed.
What Are Shovel Pit Tests?
A key part of the archaeological survey involves conducting shovel test pits, a standard method used to check for the presence of underground artifacts or cultural materials.
Here’s how it works:
- Surveyors dig holes (typically about 16 inches wide and two to three feet deep) at regular intervals
- Soil is screened through mesh to detect any artifacts such as pottery, tools, or other historical materials
- Each test pit is carefully documented. The dirt and grass cap are replaced once the evaluation is complete
These tests help determine if further archaeological study is needed in the area or if the project can move forward without significant cultural resource impacts. Protecting Indiana’s cultural and historical resources is a priority, and this fieldwork helps ensure that important sites are identified and considered in the project planning process.
Protecting Wildlife Along the Corridor: A Closer Look at Our Environmental Field Work
As part of our commitment to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), study teams conduct thorough evaluations of how the Mid-States Corridor may impact local wildlife-including endangered and threatened species.
A key focus of our recent fieldwork has been the endangered Indiana Bat and the threatened Northern Long-eared Bat. These species are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and identifying their presence is critical to minimizing impacts and guiding project design.
To assist in this work, our expert crews used a quick and careful catch-and-release process to temporarily tag bats for tracking. A small, temporary tag was applied using dissolvable glue, allowing researchers to identify roosting colonies and better understand habitat use-information that helps us avoid disturbing these sensitive areas.
During this work, we also documented other local species, including the Eastern Red Bat (pictured), which is common in the Great Lakes region during the spring and summer. While not endangered, it is still important to monitor and understand this species as part of broader habitat assessments.
In addition to bats, the environmental team is gathering valuable data on other sensitive species in the region, including the threatened Monarch butterfly (both adult and caterpillar stages).
When working with bats, our crews exercise extreme care–often working in the dark and completing the entire photo and tagging process in under two minutes to minimize stress on the animal.
This work is essential to ensure informed decisions are made that balance transportation needs with environmental stewardship. By identifying and protecting wildlife habitats early in the planning process, we can reduce potential impacts and design a corridor that works in harmony with Indiana’s natural environment.
Mid-States Corridor Project Team Provides Update to Jasper Common Council
The Jasper Common Council recently held a special meeting to receive an update on the Mid-States Corridor Study a key regional initiative aimed at improving transportation connectivity and supporting long-term economic growth in southern Indiana.
Kyanna Wheeler, Indiana Department of Transportation Project Manager for the Mid-States Corridor, led the presentation and shared progress on the evaluation of routes that could improve mobility in southern Indiana. She was joined by Jason DuPont, chief of Environmental Services at Lochmueller Group.
“Along with INDOT, we have Federal Highway, EPA, U.S. Fish & Wildlife and the Army Corps of Engineers working on this study,” Kyanna said. “So we have five state and federal agencies reviewing the work that Lochmueller is doing, making sure it is backed up by data and that we are making data-driven decisions as we progress this project.”
The meeting was scheduled in response to two separate resolutions presented to the council for consideration. The Jasper Common Council expressed appreciation for the transparency and continued communication from the project team.
Jasper Mayor Dean Vonderheide added: “Our intent was to have this meeting so we could get an update from both the proponents and the opposition so that down the road we can make an informed decision.”
The meeting also included a discussion of next steps, including an upcoming INDOT-led Public Information Meeting where refined alternatives will be presented for community review and comment. These meetings will provide residents with an opportunity to ask questions and share concerns before a Preferred Alternative is identified.
To view a recorded version of the presentation, click here: http://bit.ly/4pssJh0
Can’t Come to Us? We’ll Come to You
Does your organization meet regularly? Invite us to be your next guest speaker!
As part of the Tier 2 Study, the Mid-States project team is available to speak with your group or organization—on your schedule and at a location that works for you. We’ll provide an update on the project and gather your feedback.
This is a great opportunity to ask questions, share your input, and discuss your group’s common goals and concerns in a collaborative setting.
We also host regular office hours every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Vincennes University Jasper Campus.
You don’t need to be part of an organization to meet with us—just give us a call at 812-759-4179 to schedule a time with the project team.
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