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

[I-55]

INDOT will host a public meeting to present the Screening of Alternatives Report for the Dubois County section of the Mid-States Corridor Project. The meeting will take place Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Jasper Middle School, beginning at 5:30 pm.

According to a news report, the Dubois County section, estimated to be around $1 billion, is currently projected to commence construction in 2027, with a buildout time frame of five years. 

Given the state's transportation budget concerns, I wonder where the money is coming from for this.  Based on the studies alone, there's no way this should be a bigger priority than widening I-65 and I-70.  And I've long been a proponent of doing something in Dubois County.

This project is in our governor's backyard. I would assume that his push to toll 65 and 70 will be what funds those projects, and the money from the DOT budget that would've gone to 65/70 will be directed to Mid-States instead. This project has been on the table for years and only now that there's a governor from Dubois County is anything happening.

[Life in Paradise]

INDOT will host a public meeting to present the Screening of Alternatives Report for the Dubois County section of the Mid-States Corridor Project. The meeting will take place Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Jasper Middle School, beginning at 5:30 pm.

According to a news report, the Dubois County section, estimated to be around $1 billion, is currently projected to commence construction in 2027, with a buildout time frame of five years. 

Given the state's transportation budget concerns, I wonder where the money is coming from for this.  Based on the studies alone, there's no way this should be a bigger priority than widening I-65 and I-70.  And I've long been a proponent of doing something in Dubois County.

This project is in our governor's backyard. I would assume that his push to toll 65 and 70 will be what funds those projects, and the money from the DOT budget that would've gone to 65/70 will be directed to Mid-States instead. This project has been on the table for years and only now that there's a governor from Dubois County is anything happening.

There have been at least 3 projects (two for US231 between Huntingburg and the SW side of Jasper and one project that involved IN 162) that could have been part of this project, as the need has been known for 40-50 years.  Unfortunately, there has been a significant amount of development around both Jasper and Huntingburg that would have caused both increase in cost for property acquisition as well as forcing the routing further out (again raising costs for more miles of roadway needed).  I do wonder if they will pull back on some of the new terrain north of Jasper and perhaps only do a bypass of Loogootee. 

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://midstatescorridor.com/

Alternatives Carried Forward

The Mid-States Corridor Project, which examines an improved highway connection in southern Indiana, has reached the Screening of Alternatives milestone. The report and comment form are available in advance of a public information meeting on October 22, 2025. Please view and return comment forms by November 5, 2025.

They are either choosing a 4-lane expressway with reduced-conflict intersections (RCI) or a "super-2" (one lane in each direction with alternate passing lanes).

[jnewkirk77]

They are either choosing a 4-lane expressway with reduced-conflict intersections (RCI) or a "super-2" (one lane in each direction with alternate passing lanes).

Actually both 2B and 3B are 4-lane expressways. The super-2 options weren't carried forward because they don't achieve as much benefit for what turns out to be little actual cost saving.  Although, given the haste with which this is proceeding and the $1+ billion cost, it leads one to wonder if they are all that concerned.

I'm still curious where the money is coming from given the other, more pressing transportation needs Indiana has ... 

[ITB]

Earlier this week, Wednesday, October 22, a public information meeting took place to present and discuss the corridor's Alternative 2B and 3B, which were recommended to be carried forward in the Draft Screening of Alternatives Report. Since the meeting was informational only, comments were not officially recorded. However, comments can still be submitted, with the formal comment period extending through November 5, 2025.

As some you already know, the Tier 2 studied section of the proposed Mid-States Corridor is almost entirely located in Dubois County. Of interest, current Indiana Governor Mike Braun has deep roots in the county. He was born in Jasper, attended and graduated from Jasper High School, and presently has a significant business in the area.

[NWI_Irish96]

Earlier this week, Wednesday, October 22, a public information meeting took place to present and discuss the corridor's Alternative 2B and 3B, which were recommended to be carried forward in the Draft Screening of Alternatives Report. Since the meeting was informational only, comments were not officially recorded. However, comments can still be submitted, with the formal comment period extending through November 5, 2025.

As some you already know, the Tier 2 studied section of the proposed Mid-States Corridor is almost entirely located in Dubois County. Of interest, current Indiana Governor Mike Braun has deep roots in the county. He was born in Jasper, attended and graduated from Jasper High School, and presently has a significant business in the area.

I can tell you from experience that Indiana governors are good at getting needless bypasses built in their home counties.

[Life in Paradise]

Earlier this week, Wednesday, October 22, a public information meeting took place to present and discuss the corridor's Alternative 2B and 3B, which were recommended to be carried forward in the Draft Screening of Alternatives Report. Since the meeting was informational only, comments were not officially recorded. However, comments can still be submitted, with the formal comment period extending through November 5, 2025.

As some you already know, the Tier 2 studied section of the proposed Mid-States Corridor is almost entirely located in Dubois County. Of interest, current Indiana Governor Mike Braun has deep roots in the county. He was born in Jasper, attended and graduated from Jasper High School, and presently has a significant business in the area.

I can tell you from experience that Indiana governors are good at getting needless bypasses built in their home counties.

In this case the bypass is long overdue (it should have been built in the 70s or 80s).  Now the complete corridor north of Jasper is a question mark, though.

[seicer]

It's been interesting to note that at the public meetings, there is overwhelming opposition to the broader US 231 upgrades. It can be debated whether the corridor can be upgraded in place, but most oppose the extensive land takings required to build out a super-two or four-lane expressway that may not even be fully needed. Based on traffic projections, an upgraded two-lane highway or a 2+1 highway could be a more economical option that still meets INDOT's criteria for providing a safer corridor.

[jnewkirk77]

It's been interesting to note that at the public meetings, there is overwhelming opposition to the broader US 231 upgrades. It can be debated whether the corridor can be upgraded in place, but most oppose the extensive land takings required to build out a super-two or four-lane expressway that may not even be fully needed. Based on traffic projections, an upgraded two-lane highway or a 2+1 highway could be a more economical option that still meets INDOT's criteria for providing a safer corridor.

Dubois County residents have had the opportunity to see what expanding/relocating 231 has done (or, more accurately, NOT done) for Spencer County. There was really no opposition to doing so in Spencer County. However, exactly four five new business developments have located in the county with direct access to 231 in the almost decade and a half since the road was completed in 2011:

• The Comfort Inn in Rockport ... which I forgot because everyone forgets it, and it's only busy when AEP and/or Cleveland Cliffs have a lot of contractors around for major projects
• A Dollar General in Chrisney
• A plaza with a Denny's and Wendy's
• The Stone Ridge gas station at SR 162
• The newly-opened TA truck stop

And that's been it.

Much of the Dubois County opposition is the result of the route going through some long-held family farmland which they hold much dearer than a new road, as is their right. But there is also a strong core of opposition that has watched Spencer County stagnate despite the new road, looked at the bold predictions of economic development, and they say, "nah."

One thing, though, that Dubois County has which Spencer County does not, is bold and progressive leadership going back many decades that worked to develop the stout business and industrial base which they have.  That's why Dubois County, while it's not growing population-wise the way, say, Hamilton and Hendricks counties are, is growing at a decent clip.

Spencer County has AEP's Rockport power plant (which is supposed to close in 2028) and Cleveland Cliffs (ex-AK Steel). That's not enough to build a base upon, and a group of leaders and residents opposed to anything that might engender growth of any kind doesn't help!

[ITB]

INDOT issued a notice of intent on February 12, 2026, for the first contract of the project. The contract, which is to be delivered under INDOT's Progressive Design-Build (PDB) delivery method, will cover approximately 7.5 miles in length, starting southeast of Jasper at SR 162 and ending near Haysville at US 231.

The project is being divided into four contracts. At this stage, the project includes the construction of 10 new bridges. Also proposed are quadrant interchanges at SR 162, SR 164, and a RCI at CR 400 N. One county road, E 190 N, is to be realigned, and another, W 500 N, sealed off at a cul-de-sac.

INDOT is anticipating procurement will begin with the issuance of a Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) on February 19, 2026.

--------------------

With the project advancing toward construction, it seems appropriate that the topic title be renamed, simply, the "Mid-States Corridor Project."