Community Update 9-11-23 – Mid-States Tier 1 Study Completed

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The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) have issued a Tier 1 Combined Final Environmental Impact Statement/Record of Decision (FEIS/ROD) for the Mid-States Corridor Study. The document includes changes to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) based on agency and public input. The FEIS/ROD was published today with an anticipated Federal Register Notice of Availability of September 15, 2023. 

The Tier 1 Study of an improved highway connection in southern Indiana is a product of the successful partnership of the Mid-States Corridor Regional Development Authority and INDOT. The Preferred Alternative extends 54 miles from I-64/US 231 to I-69 at the existing US 231 interchange. The FEIS/ROD is available for viewing online at https://midstatescorridor.com/feis/ and at the following library locations. Location addresses are provided at the link.

Bedford Public LibraryMonroe County Public Library
Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public LibraryOrleans Town and Township Public Library
Dubois Branch LibraryPike County Public Library
Ferdinand Branch LibraryShoals Public Library
Huntingburg Public LibrarySpencer County Public Library
Jasper-Dubois County Public LibraryWashington Carnegie Public Library
Lincoln Heritage Public Library DaleMid-States Corridor Project Office Jasper
Loogootee Public LibraryINDOT Vincennes District Office
Melton Public LibraryINDOT Indianapolis Central Office
Mitchell Community Public LibraryLochmueller Group Evansville

The Mid-States Corridor Study is a tiered environmental document consistent with the guidance established by the Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and conforming to processes developed by FHWA and INDOT. Tiering separates the broader issues, such as selection of the general location and mode choice in Tier 1, from the more detailed site-specific impacts in Tier 2. With the selection of Refined Preferred Alternative P, INDOT is following department processes for proceeding with the Tier 2 studies. Procedures include reviewing section priority before determining a timeline for the next phase of study.

The FEIS/ROD includes updates to the Tier 1 DEIS. Responses to public and agency comments received on the Tier 1 DEIS are in Volume IV of the FEIS/ROD.

Under Title 23 U.S.C. Section 139, the FHWA has issued a single document that consists of a FEIS and ROD. Therefore, the 30-day wait/review period under NEPA does not apply to this action.

Media inquiries should be directed to Nicole Minton at [email protected] .