The Mid-States Corridor Regional Development Authority or RDA is launching the first study for the Mid-States Corridor Project.
The Tier 1 Environmental Impact Study will examine the concept of connecting highways beginning at William H. Natcher Bridge, going through Spencer and Dubois Counties, and extending north to connect I-69.
For the RDA, this is a big milestone in improving the north-south highway connection through this part of the state.
The CEO of OFS Brands in Huntingburg, Hank Menke, explains why.
RDA’s funding for the study is through a public/private partnership, with 50% funded by the government, and the other half from local businesses.
Lochmueller Group of Evansville is contracted to do the study, which is expected to take just over 2 years to complete with a Record of Decision (ROD) expected in the summer of 2021.
The ROD is the Federal Highway Administrator’s final approval of the project.
The Mid-State’s Corridor Regional Development Authority was originally a locally sponsored and funded infrastructure project.
Recent legislation sponsored by Indiana Senator Mark Messmer and US Senator Mike Braun made the project possible.