Indiana Notes

[Life in Paradise]

Cross-posting from the Mid-States Corridor Project topic:

INDOT issued a notice of intent on February 12, 2026, for the first contract of the Mid-States Corridor 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.

Really thought that they would start down at I-64 and move northward.  The traffic through Huntingburg and Jasper has been terrible through the years.

[silverback1065]

no maps or plans?

[seicer]

Plenty: https://midstatescorridor.com/

[I-55]

People as of late have been complaining about Indiana's roads and how we're not fixing them while also opposing any effort to fund improvements via tolling I-65, I-70, and I-94. I decided to do a deeper dive into the financial impact of tolling these routes. Personally, I am an advocate for the tolling approach as I find routes funded by tolls to be more effective at implementing capital improvement projects.
INDOT maintains 1307 centerline miles of free interstate and 9893 centerline miles of other non-interstate highways, including 29,000 lane miles of highway and 5700 bridges.

Tolling:
INDOT's annual budget is approximately $3.3 billion, which over the next 20 years would be $66 billion (without adjusting for growth or inflation). Assuming 7 cents per mile for passenger transponder rate, and tolls on 65, 70, and 94 except in Indy area, the annual revenues when factoring in trucks would be approximately $783 million from the routes listed below. This would provide a 24% increase in transportation funding:

• $380 million on I-65
• $210 million on I-70
• $193 million on I-94

Current Spending:
I looked at all contracts let in 2025 for each route and found the following:

• $142 million in contracts let on I-65
•      $113 million was the I-65 Safety and Efficiency project, a 5 mile widening on the south side of Indianapolis
•      $29 million in other maintenance related contracts
• $185 million in contracts let on I-70
•      $162 million was for reconstruction of I-70 west of Richmond
•      $23 million in other maintenance and ITS contracts
•      $42 million in contracts let for maintenance on I-94

In total, this was $370 million in contracts let, with only $113 million awarded towards widening. Of note, the total number was $50 million less than the sum of engineer's estimates, indicating deflation in construction costs. Of note: the I-65 Safety and Efficiency project is not in the tolled area, therefore toll revenue would not have funded that project.

Impact:
Over $250 million per year in maintenance would be moved from these routes to serve other projects statewide, with additional funding for future major projects (widening) also being allocated elsewhere.
This would leave around $533 million in toll revenue each year to fund major capacity improvement projects and rehab on I-65, I-70, and I-94. At these rates it would take around 20 years to fund widening for the rest of I-65 statewide, widening for I-70 east of Indy, reconstruction of I-70 west of Indy, and widening of I-94 with toll revenue on those routes. $14 billion of INDOT funds that would've gone to those routes in that time frame for major projects and maintenance would be able to be used elsewhere, which would very roughly be equivalent to any one of the following:

• 1700 miles of 2 -> 4 lane widening
• 400 miles of 4 -> 6 lane widening
• 40,000 lane miles of resurfacing
• 4,500 lane miles of full depth reconstruction
• 350 non-system interchanges

People will complain about tolls all they want, the reality is that there are only 3 ways to increase funding for roads, either increase taxes, defund other programs, or use tolls. So either each employed person statewide gets taxed another $200 per year, $783 million gets moved from other services that people complain are underfunded, or drivers that use the road pay the $782 million, over half of which would be paid by trucks and out of state drivers. If they don't like any of those options they can stick to crappy, overcrowded roads.

[Revive 755]

People as of late have been complaining about Indiana's roads and how we're not fixing them while also opposing any effort to fund improvements via tolling I-65, I-70, and I-94. I decided to do a deeper dive into the financial impact of tolling these routes. Personally, I am an advocate for the tolling approach as I find routes funded by tolls to be more effective at implementing capital improvement projects.

Until those tolls start getting diverted elsewhere.  Having seen an article by WGN hinting at a toll increase to fund improvements related to the proposed Bears stadium in NW Indiana is not inspiring confidence.

Or the toll structure starts getting ridiculous.  Considering how it is $4.67 to use the Indiana Toll Road from IN 912 to I-65, yet it is $4.31 to go from IN 912 to US 421.

[ITB]

Indiana legislators are looking to have a say in the state's large road and bridge projects. A provision that projects $250 million and more would be reviewed by the State Budget Committee was tucked inside the bill focused on attracting the Chicago Bears to northwest Indiana.

To some extent, the provision appears to be in response to the Mid-States Corridor Project, which has drawn significant opposition in Dubois County. House Roads and Transportation Committee Chair Rep. Jim Pressel denies any connection, as does House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jeff Thompson, the chamber's top budget writer, who said the proposed requirement had "nothing to do with" the Mid-States Corridor plans. However, Thompson added that "With that kind of money, we should have review."

For better or worse, the way things are moving forward, legislators at the Statehouse seem poised to be gaining more control and power over INDOT and what roads and bridges gets built in the state.

[silverback1065]

I'm surprised there is any opposition at all to the Mid-States corridor. It helps the towns along the route out a lot. What are the opponents concerns?

[Moose]

Looks like Indiana may be doing away with variable speed limits, and electronic speed signs.

https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/house/1200/details

It's buried in a big BMV bill.

[I-55]

I'm surprised there is any opposition at all to the Mid-States corridor. It helps the towns along the route out a lot. What are the opponents concerns?

Locally - NIMBYism as expected due to the amount of property being acquired for the new terrain route. There were rounds of lawsuits over whether surveyors could access properties.

Statewide - juxtaposition of the governor wanting to spend $1 billion on Mid States in his own county while wanting to implement tolls for everyone else to fund other projects that are arguably more needed. I'm not opposed to Mid States or tolls on their own but the rollout has been poorly executed.

[Revive 755]

Looks like Indiana may be doing away with variable speed limits, and electronic speed signs.

https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/house/1200/details

It's buried in a big BMV bill.

And will probably increase the number of lousy 24/7 work zone speed limit reductions since it would outlaw the variable speed limit assemblies (as used on I-65 for the new US 52 interchange north of Lebanon). 

[seicer]

I'm surprised there is any opposition at all to the Mid-States corridor. It helps the towns along the route out a lot. What are the opponents concerns?

A proposed 50-mile highway known as the Mid-States Corridor, connecting Interstates 64 and 69 through southern Indiana, has become a political liability for Gov. Mike Braun in his home county of Dubois. The project, long studied along the U.S. 231 corridor and advanced during Braun's time in the Statehouse, is now in environmental review, with right-of-way acquisition possible this year. Statewide polling conducted Feb. 20–21 by Public Policy Polling found Braun's overall approval at 25%, including 43% among Republicans. In Dubois County, however, only 16% of voters — and 23% of Republicans — approved of his performance. Local organizers attribute the disparity largely to opposition to the highway project, which many residents associate closely with Braun's political career and long-standing focus on infrastructure.

Opponents argue the more than $1 billion project would deliver limited benefits compared to its costs, citing concerns over property acquisition, changes to local traffic patterns, and broader skepticism about economic claims tied to regional connectivity. A Dubois County poll found 81% opposed the corridor, while statewide opposition measured 65%, with 24% undecided. Activists with the Property Rights Alliance and Stop the Mid-States Corridor coalition funded the surveys to demonstrate public resistance, describing the project as a "betrayal" driven by special interests. The controversy has prompted at least one organizer, Jasper resident Brad Hochgesang, to launch a Democratic challenge for a state Senate seat, while lawmakers have begun considering greater legislative oversight of large INDOT projects exceeding $250 million.

• 'Big betrayal': Road project in Gov. Mike Braun's hometown proves politically costly (Indianapolis Star)
• Polling

[NWI_Irish96]

I'm surprised there is any opposition at all to the Mid-States corridor. It helps the towns along the route out a lot. What are the opponents concerns?

A proposed 50-mile highway known as the Mid-States Corridor, connecting Interstates 64 and 69 through southern Indiana, has become a political liability for Gov. Mike Braun in his home county of Dubois. The project, long studied along the U.S. 231 corridor and advanced during Braun's time in the Statehouse, is now in environmental review, with right-of-way acquisition possible this year. Statewide polling conducted Feb. 20–21 by Public Policy Polling found Braun's overall approval at 25%, including 43% among Republicans. In Dubois County, however, only 16% of voters — and 23% of Republicans — approved of his performance. Local organizers attribute the disparity largely to opposition to the highway project, which many residents associate closely with Braun's political career and long-standing focus on infrastructure.

Opponents argue the more than $1 billion project would deliver limited benefits compared to its costs, citing concerns over property acquisition, changes to local traffic patterns, and broader skepticism about economic claims tied to regional connectivity. A Dubois County poll found 81% opposed the corridor, while statewide opposition measured 65%, with 24% undecided. Activists with the Property Rights Alliance and Stop the Mid-States Corridor coalition funded the surveys to demonstrate public resistance, describing the project as a "betrayal" driven by special interests. The controversy has prompted at least one organizer, Jasper resident Brad Hochgesang, to launch a Democratic challenge for a state Senate seat, while lawmakers have begun considering greater legislative oversight of large INDOT projects exceeding $250 million.

• 'Big betrayal': Road project in Gov. Mike Braun's hometown proves politically costly (Indianapolis Star)
• Polling

They could 6-lane a lot of I-65 and I-70 for that money.

[The Ghostbuster]

Something tells me the Mid-States Corridor might not be constructed. The US 231 corridor might have to suffice as a two-lane roadway without bypasses.

[I-55]

Traffic Volumes for US 231:
KY Line to I-64: 5,700
I-64 to Huntingburg: 7,000
Huntingburg to Jasper: 14,000
Jasper to Haysville: 7,800
Haysville to Loogootee: 5,800
Loogootee to I-69: 5,400

I think Jasper to Huntingburg should be a standalone project, and potential connection to I-64 would be reasonable. North of Jasper, nothing really happening

[seicer]

It would have been a better and easier sell if the existing US 231 corridor was upgraded into a 2+1 corridor, with the potential for smaller bypasses around the communities. As it is, it's a massive four-lane expressway proposal that augments Interstate 69. Traffic counts don't justify the $1 billion cost.

[silverback1065]

I'm surprised there is any opposition at all to the Mid-States corridor. It helps the towns along the route out a lot. What are the opponents concerns?

A proposed 50-mile highway known as the Mid-States Corridor, connecting Interstates 64 and 69 through southern Indiana, has become a political liability for Gov. Mike Braun in his home county of Dubois. The project, long studied along the U.S. 231 corridor and advanced during Braun's time in the Statehouse, is now in environmental review, with right-of-way acquisition possible this year. Statewide polling conducted Feb. 20–21 by Public Policy Polling found Braun's overall approval at 25%, including 43% among Republicans. In Dubois County, however, only 16% of voters — and 23% of Republicans — approved of his performance. Local organizers attribute the disparity largely to opposition to the highway project, which many residents associate closely with Braun's political career and long-standing focus on infrastructure.

Opponents argue the more than $1 billion project would deliver limited benefits compared to its costs, citing concerns over property acquisition, changes to local traffic patterns, and broader skepticism about economic claims tied to regional connectivity. A Dubois County poll found 81% opposed the corridor, while statewide opposition measured 65%, with 24% undecided. Activists with the Property Rights Alliance and Stop the Mid-States Corridor coalition funded the surveys to demonstrate public resistance, describing the project as a "betrayal" driven by special interests. The controversy has prompted at least one organizer, Jasper resident Brad Hochgesang, to launch a Democratic challenge for a state Senate seat, while lawmakers have begun considering greater legislative oversight of large INDOT projects exceeding $250 million.

• 'Big betrayal': Road project in Gov. Mike Braun's hometown proves politically costly (Indianapolis Star)
• Polling

I'm not sure I trust a poll from an organization that's opposed to the project   

[Life in Paradise]

I'm surprised there is any opposition at all to the Mid-States corridor. It helps the towns along the route out a lot. What are the opponents concerns?

A proposed 50-mile highway known as the Mid-States Corridor, connecting Interstates 64 and 69 through southern Indiana, has become a political liability for Gov. Mike Braun in his home county of Dubois. The project, long studied along the U.S. 231 corridor and advanced during Braun's time in the Statehouse, is now in environmental review, with right-of-way acquisition possible this year. Statewide polling conducted Feb. 20–21 by Public Policy Polling found Braun's overall approval at 25%, including 43% among Republicans. In Dubois County, however, only 16% of voters — and 23% of Republicans — approved of his performance. Local organizers attribute the disparity largely to opposition to the highway project, which many residents associate closely with Braun's political career and long-standing focus on infrastructure.

Opponents argue the more than $1 billion project would deliver limited benefits compared to its costs, citing concerns over property acquisition, changes to local traffic patterns, and broader skepticism about economic claims tied to regional connectivity. A Dubois County poll found 81% opposed the corridor, while statewide opposition measured 65%, with 24% undecided. Activists with the Property Rights Alliance and Stop the Mid-States Corridor coalition funded the surveys to demonstrate public resistance, describing the project as a "betrayal" driven by special interests. The controversy has prompted at least one organizer, Jasper resident Brad Hochgesang, to launch a Democratic challenge for a state Senate seat, while lawmakers have begun considering greater legislative oversight of large INDOT projects exceeding $250 million.

• 'Big betrayal': Road project in Gov. Mike Braun's hometown proves politically costly (Indianapolis Star)
• Polling

I'm not sure I trust a poll from an organization that's opposed to the project   

What you said is actually a very valid point.  I can't see that 4/5th of everyone is happy about all of the traffic that they have had to deal with in Huntingburg and Jasper that has gone on for decade after decade.  There has been a good bit of industry in those two cities that transport furniture, food, etc.   Part of it made me wonder why they went north with the corridor along 231 rather than north east to connect to IN-37's four lane due to the recreation areas of Patoka Lake and Lake Monroe plus French Lick's resort hotels and Paoli's additional other furniture operation.

[I-55]

What you said is actually a very valid point.  I can't see that 4/5th of everyone is happy about all of the traffic that they have had to deal with in Huntingburg and Jasper that has gone on for decade after decade.  There has been a good bit of industry in those two cities that transport furniture, food, etc.   Part of it made me wonder why they went north with the corridor along 231 rather than north east to connect to IN-37's four lane due to the recreation areas of Patoka Lake and Lake Monroe plus French Lick's resort hotels and Paoli's additional other furniture operation.

The two options of connecting to 69 near Washington or 231 near Crane involve flat, unwooded terrain and would be only 20 miles to Washington and 35 miles to Crane. Whereas going to Mitchell (south end of SR 37 4-lane), it is much hiller, cuts through Hoosier National Forest, and would be anywhere from 35-40 miles. 231 to 69 would remain the faster route to Bloomington and 231 has double the existing traffic compared to SR 56 from Haysville to French Lick

[silverback1065]

This is something the state's wanted to do for decades, the governor wants it done now. Sounds similar to how Mitch Daniels treated I-69. 

[I-55]

Notable Projects from February 11, 2026 Regular Letting:

41916 - Reconstruction of South 9th Street in Lafayette awarded for $13.5 million
42006 - New Road Construction along CR 17 in Elkhart Co awarded for $10 million
43393 - HMA Overlay, Maintenance, and Culvert Replacement on I-74 east of Shelbyville awarded for $39.3 million
43693 - HMA Overlay on I-70 in Clay County awarded for $12.2 million
45152 - Pavement Replacement and Intersection Improvement on SR 62 in Vanderburgh County awarded for $35 million
41845 - Road Reconstruction and New Bridge on Hively Ave in Elhkart Co awarded for $30 million


Other maintenance and roundabout projects are also included. Full bid results below:

https://www.in.gov/indot/doing-business-with-indot/files/20260211_Official-Tab-A.pdf

[ITB]

Here's a map depicting the four contract segments of the Mid-States Corridor Project. I came across it, of all places, in the Industry Forum section on INDOT's Major Projects and Alternative Delivery webpage.

There's a lot of momentum behind this project. This week, according to Gemini (Google AI), INDOT will be holding one-on-one meetings with contractors who are interested in submitting design/build applications. Rather than bidding the project through the usual channels, INDOT will be selecting the contractor or contracting team.

Last month, according to an article in the Dubois County Free Press, representatives of groups opposed to the project asked the Dubois County Council to withdraw from the Mid-States Corridor Regional Development Authority (RDA). However, it's was explained that since the project has already passed through the Tier 1 study, the RDA has no further role to fulfill. The in-depth article also details the project's expected timeline:

Mid-2026: Contractor procurement for construction contract one
Fall 2026: Preferred alternative announcement and public hearing
Fall 2026: Right-of-way acquisition begins
2027: Procurement of construction contract two
Summer 2027: Final environmental document approval
Fall 2027: Construction begins on contract one
2028: Procurement of construction contract three
2029: Procurement of construction contract four

By selecting the design-build contractor this year, it appears INDOT wants to hit the ground running with the approval of the Tier 2 study, and Record of Decision, in the summer of 2027.


Indiana Department of Transportation

[ITB]

In a surprise, there's movement on Contract #3, the third and final contract of the Revive I-70 project in Wayne County. It's now listed on INDOT's 18-month letting list (as of February 15, 2026), and, of interest, it stipulates "Added Travel Lanes." Bear in mind, this is just a contract listing. It strongly appears the contract will involve widening, and it most likely will happen, but sometimes there are errors in these listings. The contract is expected to let November 5, 2026.

The contract, R-44968, can be found near the bottom of the page:


Indiana Department of Transportation

[silverback1065]

2 Questions:

Is mid-states a super 2 or divided highway?

If this turns out to be an added travel lanes for 70 what would be the length of added travel lanes all together in Wayne County? SR 1 to Ohio?

[tdindy88]

2 Questions:

Is mid-states a super 2 or divided highway?

If this turns out to be an added travel lanes for 70 what would be the length of added travel lanes all together in Wayne County? SR 1 to Ohio?

It sounds like the widening would just be from Centerville Rd to the Ohio border.

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2026/03/09/indiana-application-details-need-plan-for-i-70-tolls/

Indiana might be getting I-70 tolled to accelerate the widening project.

10 cents a mile for cars ($15.60 to drive across the whole state)