Rethink I-69
NEW: The Alarming Rise Of Indiana Transportation Funding Dedicated to I-69
Read the Report
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 over 4,000 acres of farmland, destroy dozens of family farms, cut down nearly 2,000 acres of forest land, divide several communities, destroy or disturb 650 caves, springs and sinkholes, 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 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.
Resources
Learn more about the common-sense alternate route.
Read our February 2011 complaint requesting that the federal court invalidate an Army Corps of Engineers permit for Section 3 of I-69.
Read our Reply Brief in our case challenging the Army Corps of Engineers permit for Section 3 of I-69.
HEC Reply Br Sec 3 — April 2012.
Read our October 2011 complaint requesting that the federal court invalidate an Army Corps of Engineers permit for Section 2 of I-69.
HEC I-69 Opportunity Costs White Paper- Sept 2010
INDOT I-69 Evansville to Indianapolis Official Study Website
