US 231 - Mid-States Corridor SIU 2 Tier 2 study begins

[jnewkirk77]

Previous thread on this, involving Tier 1 studies: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=25352.0

INDOT has announced this week that the Tier 2 study on the Mid-States Corridor SIU 2 will be getting underway.

SIU 2 is the Dubois County segment of the corridor, running from I-64 near Dale to SR 56 East in Haysville, which will include an eastern bypass of the cities of Huntingburg and Jasper.

More info: https://midstatescorridor.com/2024/07/23/mid-states-corridor-tier-2-study-to-begin/

[WKDAVE]

With the probable new Governor from Jasper (and a former member of the Mid-States committee) it will be interesting to see if this project gets a push in the next few years.

[JREwing78]

Definitely from Jasper southward to I-64, the traffic is there to necessitate a 4-lane highway. With the existing I-165 and the existing US-231 4-lane to I-64, a "back door" path between Indianapolis and Nashville becomes evident.

The remaining 125 miles or so of US-231 between I-69 and I-65 NW of Lafayette has potential for a 4-lane corridor serving as an outer-bypass of Indianapolis and a Chicago-Nashville pathway.

[The Ghostbuster]

Outside of the Mid-States Corridor, are any other portions of US 231 in Indiana planned to be expanded to four lanes in the future?

[Life in Paradise]

Definitely from Jasper southward to I-64, the traffic is there to necessitate a 4-lane highway. With the existing I-165 and the existing US-231 4-lane to I-64, a "back door" path between Indianapolis and Nashville becomes evident.

The remaining 125 miles or so of US-231 between I-69 and I-65 NW of Lafayette has potential for a 4-lane corridor serving as an outer-bypass of Indianapolis and a Chicago-Nashville pathway.

US 231 corridor through that area is my corridors that I would develop  to 4 lanes in Indiana, but I might be inclined to veer off of US 231 at Spencer and tie into IN 46 around Ellettsville and hit I 69 in Bloomington.  It's not as direct, but could serve a bigger populace. (IU to Purdue crowd)

[jnewkirk77]

Outside of the Mid-States Corridor, are any other portions of US 231 in Indiana planned to be expanded to four lanes in the future?

Unfortunately, no. There is a project to repave and add auxiliary and passing lanes from north of Crawfordsville to CR 800S south of Lafayette; it's set to be done in November.  That can be a fairly busy stretch of road depending on the time of day.

[Revive 755]

Outside of the Mid-States Corridor, are any other portions of US 231 in Indiana planned to be expanded to four lanes in the future?

I'm not aware of any official plans, but if northwest Indiana keeps growing the stretch between US 41 and I-65 is probably going to need to go to four lanes.

[I-55]

Outside of the Mid-States Corridor, are any other portions of US 231 in Indiana planned to be expanded to four lanes in the future?

There's talk right now of extending the West Lafayette bypass to tie into I-65 near Battle Ground. Presumably US 231 would be rerouted from Montmorenci to this extension.

https://www.tippecanoe.in.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7057/Route-Map--US-52-to-I-65

https://www.wlfi.com/news/local/wabash-tippecanoe-township-residents-skeptical-of-u-s-231-extension/article_f89d171a-a0e3-11ee-ac83-4b511160da29.html

[jnewkirk77]

INDOT is going to host a public meeting regarding the proposed highway on Sept. 26.

It'll be at Jasper Middle School (3600 N. Portersville Rd., Jasper, IN 47546). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a presentation at 6 p.m. (All times Eastern)

INDOT will post maps, the presentation and other info on the project website after the meeting.

[jnewkirk77]

The Property Rights Alliance, a newly-formed group of those opposed to the Mid-States Corridor project, held a meeting this past week to voice their concerns regarding the proposed highway. It appears they will be using due process - mainly, at this point, by way of cease-and-desist letters - to slow the survey process down.

Thus far, they've raised about $10,000 to hire an Indianapolis lawyer and support the operation of the group.

Coverage:
14 WFIE
Dubois County Free Press

[ITB]

In Dubois County, INDOT is having to resort to lawsuits against property owners to allow surveyor access. Up to 121 landowners are refusing to allow access to their properties, causing the Tier 2 study to stall as surveying is not yet to be completed.

Read more about it here.

[jnewkirk77]

Here are some materials for the Public Information Meeting which is scheduled for Wednesday, Apr. 16.  The draft Purpose & Need statement and Preliminary Alternatives maps are also included.

I think you'll find some interesting info.

[jnewkirk77]

A hearing was held this week in Dubois County Circuit Court in INDOT's case seeking approval to conduct surveys on private property. Dubois County Free Press has good coverage of how things went.

[ITB]

Dubois County Circuit Court Judge Nathan Verkamp has ruled that INDOT must be allowed access to private property for survey and assessment work related to the Mid-States Corridor Project. The ruling is based on Indiana Code 8-23-7-26, which grants the department's authorized employees or representatives the right to enter land to conduct surveys and other activities, such as soil investigation, boring, sample-taking, and archaeological digging, among others.   

Read more about the decision here.

[Rothman]

Dubois County Circuit Court Judge Nathan Verkamp has ruled that INDOT must be allowed access to private property for survey and assessment work related to the Mid-States Corridor Project. The ruling is based on Indiana Code 8-23-7-26, which grants the department's authorized employees or representatives the right to enter land to conduct surveys and other activities, such as soil investigation, boring, sample-taking, and archaeological digging, among others.   

Read more about the decision here.

Seems to be a ruling of the obvious.

[ITB]

Discussions are already underway between INDOT and officials of Jasper and Huntingburg, and Dubois County, about the potential relinquishment of US 231, if — and a big if — the Mid-States Corridor Project highway is built.

The relinquishment would involve 5.91 center miles and 17.8 lane miles. Jasper city officials are concerned about the potential future costs of maintaining the road if it becomes part of their inventory.