I-69 Named "Corridor of the Future"

Press Release

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently designated Interstate 69 as one of six national “Corridors of the Future.” The USDOT named the selected routes, which include: I-69 from Port Huron, Michigan, through Arkansas, to the lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas; I-95 between Florida and Maine; I-15 in southern California and Nevada; I-5 in California, Washington and Oregon; I-70 from Missouri to Ohio; and I-10 from California to Florida.

Steve Schaefer, Executive Director of the Hoosier Voices for I-69 stated, “The designation of I-69 as a ‘Corridor of the Future’ signifies the national importance of this interstate highway. While the passage of Major Moves fast-tracked the I-69 extension from Indianapolis to Evansville in Indiana, there are numerous states with different degrees of progress in regards to their individual segments of the entire interstate highway. This is certainly a confirmation of the need for this highway and the nationwide safety, mobility, freight movement and economic benefits that can be derived from its construction."

Interstate 69 begins at the U.S./Canadian border north of Detroit and extends southward to Indianapolis. The corridor is then in various stages of development and construction from Indianapolis south through Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas before reaching the Mexican border near Laredo. All eight states from Michigan to Texas are part of the I-69 Steering Committee that was formed in 1993 to oversee the development of the route. Hoosier Voices for I-69, the statewide advocacy organization in Indiana, has worked closely with the Steering Committee and the Mid-Continent Highway Coalition to ensure national recognition of the Indiana segments of the highway.

In Indiana, the I-69 extension from Indianapolis to Evansville is currently in the Tier 2 study process and is on a current timetable for a ground-breaking in 2008.

The Corridors of the Future program was created in early 2006 as part of the USDOT's Congestion Reduction Initiative. Thirty-eight proposals were initially considered by the USDOT for the designation. In early 2007, that number was narrowed down to 14 projects on eight major transportation corridors. Through this program, the USDOT will aggressively support the development of the six Corridors of the Future by accelerating permitting schedules, identifying new financing options and promoting innovative project delivery methods to "move these projects from the drawing board to completion faster than ever before."

Schaefer further commented, “The designation as a ‘Corridor of the Future’ is yet another indication of progress for the I-69 project and recognizes the significance to the nation’s infrastructure. Hoosier Voices greatly appreciates the tremendous local, regional, state and federal support for the project through the years and encourages our leaders to continue support until the final mile is completed.”

To view additional information regarding the USDOT “Corridors of the Future” program, please visit: http://www.fightgridlocknow.gov/corridors.htm.

Source: Indiana Chamber of Commerce