Understanding the issue
In 2004, the Indiana Department of Transportation received approval to build the I-69 extension from Indianapolis to Evansville along the “New-Terrain” route. The New-Terrain route would pave nearly 5,000 acres of farmland, destroy dozens of family farms, cut down over 1,900 acres of forest land, divide several communities, and pass through the middle of Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge. The result will be a major highway through rural Southern Indiana that costs more than $3.2 billion and only saves 13 minutes of travel time from Evansville to Indianapolis. An alternative route, following U.S. 41 and I-70, can accomplish the same core goals with less financial and environmental cost to Hoosiers.

Our position
HEC supports an I-69 route that follows I-70 from Indianapolis to Terre Haute, and U.S. 41 upgraded to interstate level from there to Evansville.  This route can be completed more quickly, and at much less cost, than the state’s preferred route.  It is considered the least environmentally damaging route by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

It is Common Sense I-69.

What our opposition says
Change requires dialogue between those on both sides of the issues. In that spirit, here we give voice to both skeptics and those who support a new-terrain route for I-69.

Engineering concerns support new-terrain I-69 route as best.

Take action
Governor Daniels is the fourth governor to push for a new terrain Interstate 69, an exorbitantly costly project that would destroy thousands of acres of Indiana farmland, forest and wetlands while uprooting hundreds of families and businesses.

Read the six steps you can take to help stop the new-terrain I-69, and take action today!

Resources
Read our overview on I-69

Read our detailed policy paper on I-69 – updated April 2010

HEC I-69 Opportunity Costs White Paper

INDOT I-69 Evansville to Indianapolis Official Study Website