I-69 Section 6 Draft Environmental Document Published
for Public Comment Exhaustive study recommends locations for highway,
exits and local access
INDIANAPOLIS (March 17, 2017) – The final leg of Interstate
69 from Evansville to Indianapolis is one step closer to reality with the
release of its Tier 2 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). In addition to increasing economic activity in
the corridor, exhaustive studies and public input conclude that I-69 Section 6
will improve safety and travel times between Martinsville and Indianapolis.
The Draft EIS recommends a preferred route and footprint for
the 26 miles of new and upgraded highway, including the location and types of
10 exits, 16 overpasses or underpasses and new local access roads. The draft document
estimates the maximum potential impact that I-69 Section 6 construction could
have on homes, businesses and natural resources, and identifies mitigation
measures.
“This is an important milestone for an important project,
and it couldn’t have been accomplished without the significant amount of public
input we received from hundreds of citizens, elected officials and civic
organizations along the corridor,” said Indiana Department of Transportation
Commissioner Joe McGuinness. “This draft study moves us closer to what’s been
talked about for so, so long – finishing I-69 and having a free flow of traffic
from Evansville to Indianapolis.”
INDOT will refine the preferred alternative based on public
and agency input, and expects the Federal Highway Administration will issue a
joint Final EIS and Record of Decision for Section 6 in the first quarter of
2018. The Final EIS will identify refinements to the preferred route based on
public comments and agency review. The Record of Decision is the federal
decision that authorizes INDOT to proceed with design and construction of the
project.
Public review and
comment
The complete Draft EIS, more than 1,500 pages, is available
for public review online at www.in.gov/indot/projects/i69/2515.htm.
The public may submit written comments on the document and its recommendations
through May 8 via the comment form at www.in.gov/indot/projects/i69/2463.htm
or by mail to the I-69 Section 6 project office, 7847 Waverly Road,
Martinsville, IN 46151.
In addition, INDOT will host two public meetings from 5:30
to 8:30 p.m. at Perry Meridian High School, 401 W. Meridian School Rd. in
Indianapolis, on Thursday, April 6 and Martinsville High School, 1360 E. Gray
St. in Martinsville, on Monday, April 10. Each meeting will begin with an open
house followed by a formal presentation and public-comment period in the school
auditorium beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Attendees who do not want to provide formal public testimony
may return or mail a comment form available at the public hearings or provide
verbal comments to a court reporter.
With advance notice, special accommodations will be made for
individuals needing auxiliary aids or services of interpreters, signers,
readers, or large print. Anyone with such needs should contact Rickie Clark
with INDOT's Office of Public Involvement at 317-232-6601 or rclark@indot.in.gov.
Paper copies for
review
Beginning March 24, 2017, paper copies of the Draft EIS will be available at the I-69 Section 5 and I-69 Section 6 Project Offices, INDOT’s
Central, Greenfield and Seymour District Offices and at the following public
libraries:
Indianapolis Public Library: Central Branch; 40 E. St. Clair St.,
Indianapolis
Indianapolis Public Library: Southport Branch; 2630 E. Stop 11 Rd.,
Indianapolis
Indianapolis Public Library: Decatur Branch; 5301 Kentucky Ave., Indianapolis
Johnson County Public Library: White River
Branch; 1664 Library Blvd., Greenwood
Mooresville Public Library: 220 W. Harrison St.,
Mooresville
Morgan County Public Library: Waverly Branch; 9410 IN-144, Martinsville
Morgan County Public Library: Martinsville Branch; 110 S. Jefferson St.,
Martinsville
Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library: 1120
Stafford Rd., Plainfield
Monroe County Public Library: 303 E. Kirkwood Ave.,
Bloomington