Synopsis
- Improving US 231 alone does not meet the project goals identified in the Mid-States Corridor Tier 1 EIS.
- Upgrading US 231 would displace over 400 properties, which is more than three times the relocations required for the preferred Mid-States Corridor route.
- A $75 million investment in US 231 upgrades would only cover minor safety and operational fixes, far short of the $559 million estimated cost to meet transportation needs.
- 75% of INDOT’s budget is dedicated to maintaining the current system, leaving limited funds for major new capacity projects.
- The Mid-States Corridor offers greater long-term benefits, reducing congestion in Huntingburg and Jasper, improving safety, and supporting Dubois County’s economic growth.
You’ve probably heard suggestions that improvements to the existing road network, including US 231, would adequately improve traffic congestion around Huntingburg and Jasper without significant impact to the Dubois County residents, their land, and the environment. While this is an understandable viewpoint, it’s not as straightforward as it sounds.
The Facts About Upgrading US 231
Improving US 231 to accomplish the project goals would still require time, money, and disruptions to people’s livelihoods. The Mid-States Corridor Tier 1 EIS studied the costs and impacts of improving US 231 to attempt to address the needs identified by that study. This upgrade was evaluated as Alternative R in the Tier 1 FEIS and failed to meet the identified needs.
Relocation of Residences and Businesses
Relocations of agricultural structures, residential properties, businesses, and institutions such as places of worship, schools and libraries are always top of mind when developing studies for infrastructure improvements. Relocation impacts include permanent or temporary acquisition, damages to property from construction, or loss of access. Improving US 231 to meet transportation needs would actually result in more than three times as many relocations compared to the current Mid-States Corridor plan.
The US 231 improvement would require 418 relocations compared to the 114-156 needed for the preferred Corridor route, known as alternative RPA P.
Budget
In June 2021, former Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb announced $475 million in infrastructure projects that included $75 million to make major improvements to existing US 231 through Dubois and Martin counties.
Funding for $75 million in improvements on existing US 231 would address only minor and site-specific safety and operational issues. The project would still require significant contributions from The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) budget or other funding resources.
INDOT takes the responsibility to maintain and repair existing roads seriously. According to the 2020 Purdue University Joint Transportation Research Program on FHWA data, 75 percent of INDOT’s budget is used to operate and maintain the existing transportation system.
INDOT Budget Breakdown
75% of INDOT’s budget → Dedicated to operating and maintaining Indiana’s existing transportation system.
20% of budget → Available for other needs, including capacity expansion, safety enhancements, and select improvement projects.
5% of budget → Funds that cover administrative expenses.
Further, capital expenditures for added highway capacity require 20 percent of INDOT’s budget, with the remaining five percent used for administrative expenses. INDOT is constantly assessing needs to both maintain the existing system as well as provide for needed system expansion.
The Tier 1 FEIS identified that such an upgrade to US 231 would cost $559 million estimated in 2019 dollars, so the $75 million in US 231 improvements announced in 2021 would address only a small fraction of this total cost.
An Ongoing Commitment to Dubois County
Upgrading US 231 is neither a low-cost nor a low-impact alternative and it offers minimal benefits. With each phase of the ongoing project, every effort is being made to avoid, minimize, and mitigate disruptions, especially to Dubois County residents and their businesses.
The Mid-States Corridor will help provide regional prosperity for future generations. Dubois County is the most populous county and the most robust regional business center in Indiana currently without a four-lane highway directly connecting to the primary city and its commercial activity. Development of the Mid-States Corridor will eliminate congestion in Huntingburg and Jasper and offer safer travel conditions to the benefit of everyone in Dubois County.
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