MARTIN CO.— The Mid-States Corridor Project, a proposed four-lane expressway through southern Indiana, has sparked significant debate among residents. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) recently authorized the project team to move forward with the first Tier 2 study, prompting renewed concerns from those whose lives and livelihoods may be impacted.
Local farmer Jason McCoy, whose family has owned a 160-acre farm in Martin County for over a century, stands at the forefront of the opposition. The proposed route is expected to take approximately 40 acres of his land and directly affect neighboring family farms.
He stresses that the corridor will threaten his and others’ way of life. He fears the expressway will not only divide family farms but could also harm the local economy by bypassing community centers.
The Mid-States Corridor is designed to enhance transportation and connectivity. It follows U.S. 231 from Interstate 64 east of Huntingburg and Jasper and extends north to Interstate 69. The Tier 2 study, set to begin in Dubois County, will focus on determining the alignment and access plans for the highway.
Nicole Minton, a representative of the Mid-States Corridor Project, acknowledged the intense emotions surrounding the initiative. She encouraged residents to express their concerns during upcoming public information meetings and emphasized the project team’s commitment to minimizing impacts on property owners. She added that residents within the 2,000-foot-wide corridor study area would receive letters notifying them of upcoming land surveys.
Despite these reassurances, opponents of the corridor worry that the project will prioritize the interests of businesses and the trucking industry while neglecting the needs of local communities.
The Tier 2 study is expected to take three years to complete. Those against the project will continue to fight.
For more information on the Mid-States Corridor Project, residents can visit its website or follow the “Stop the Mid-States Corridor Project” Facebook page for updates and discussions.
