Mildren Oeding - Comments

I oppose the Mid-States Corridor. The narrative has continued to change as the study progressed. There is no proven economic development as a result of this road. The cost continues to escalate. $1.1 Billion for entire 54 miles at 2020 costs to $1.1 Billion just for Dubois County section at 2024 costs, estimated $3.4 Billion for entire project not including land acquisition. Not economically feasible. There a other ways to improve traffic flow include the passing lanes on 231 and improved intersections as well as identifying and studying other existing roads that can be improved at a fraction of the cost. Whatever happened to the commitment made by Governor Holcomb in 2021 to use $75 million for the passing lanes and intersection improvements? Polls have proven that over 80% of the county residents do not want our rural community destroyed by a new terrain highway, including farmland, forests and Legacy farms. Yet, we have unelected positions (RDA members) drive this project. The process used to get “public” input is skewed. The study group does extensive interviews for input with stakeholders who are business executives pushing for this to benefit their own company and when INDOT holds their public meetings it is more of a show and tell event with minimal public attendances and most that attend are against the project. The Tier 1 study started with the Purpose and Need was to improve safety and relieve congestion, which was not justified by the FHWA, so it was changed to improve business and personal regional connectivity in Dubois County and Southern Indiana and to improve highway connections to existing multi-modal locations in Southern Indiana. Then for the Tier 2 study the purpose and need were modified to provide improved system linkage from Dubois County to major business destinations and freight intermodal centers, improving employee access to Dubois County businesses, increasing the efficiency of freight operations, and completing Section 2 of the MSC. In others, they keep making any narrative to try to justify this project and none of it is valid. At one point the Purpose and Need was time travel saved but when it was challenged because their own data showed a 4-minute saving from Jasper to Indianapolis, if you notice, it is no longer in the Purpose and Need. However, they still are now throwing out numbers like 14-minute travel time saving through Dubois County. There is significant Impact to local residents – roads dead ended, re-routes to get access or cross the MSC. Over 400 other safety-related road and bridge projects throughout the State of Indiana were canceled or indefinitely postponed due to lack of funds. The 3.4 Billion Dollars should be used to maintain and improve the infrastructure already in place. There is ZERO need for a new-terrain highway in Southern Indiana. This unwarranted road project is an inexcusable waste of taxpayer funds and a horrific example of fiscal irresponsibility.