I-69 proposals spark controversy

The two-lane adventure that is State Road 37 might soon be replaced by a state-of-the-art interstate, incorporating safety design and access to remote communities. The proposal to extend Interstate 69 south of Indianapolis has been researched and analyzed for two years, and soon a decision of where -- or if -- to expand the interstate will be reached.\nThe proposed route would run diagonally through Indiana from Fort Wayne to Evansville, cutting through the west side of Bloomington. The Interstate currently runs through Detroit and ends in Indianapolis. If federal project planners get their wish, I-69 will cross connect Canada, the United States and Mexico.\nProject planners have met much opposition from Indiana farmers, environmental groups and the Bloomington City Council. The opposing groups propose a different plan known as the 41-70 route which upgrades U.S. 41 and Interstate 70. The new proposal would take I-70 west of Bloomington, through Terre Haute and down U.S. 41 to Evansville. The 41-70 plan would cost $500 million less than Gov. Frank O'Bannon's plan, which involves paving new terrain.\nClint Cragen, vice president of the Indiana Farmers Union, is opposed to O'Bannon's plan. The organization believes convenience is a small sacrifice for food production, that, if lost, would never be recovered.\n"If the new highway involves laying down new pavement we will do everything legislatively possible to oppose that," Cragen said.\nThe Indiana Farmers Union not only worries about devastation to their land and crops, but also the ripple effect that will come from a new highway.\n"It's important to not have a 25-foot piece of pavement running through the backyards of Indiana's farmers, because along with a highway comes exit ramps, McDonalds and gas stations," Cragen said. "Also, what about the character of the landscape and towns? Do we really want to sacrifice that for convenience?"\nBloomington Mayor John Fernandez pledges to support the decision no matter where the highway is placed. But he would prefer that it run through or near Bloomington.\n"I think the project is very important to southwest Indiana and the rest of the state," Fernandez said.\nHe added Bloomington is in danger of becoming isolated from Indianapolis due to the mismanagement of the state highway system.\n"Our region needs this interstate. Bloomington is in danger of disconnecting economically and culturally. I support a process that is objective and complete," Fernandez said. "Once the decision is made we all need to get on board and support it. I'm willing to let the chips fall as they may."\nAlong with the concern of isolation, Fernandez questions the safety of the current highways leading to Bloomington.\n"Across the board you're talking about unsafe roads," Fernandez said. "They are curvy, small and just unsafe." \nThe Indiana Department of Transportation contacted the Environmental Law and Policy Center, which supports environmentally-sound solutions to natural and energy-related problems. This organization has helped complete figures and provide the project organizers a better understanding of what would be best for Indiana's highway system.\n"We think I-69 is one of the most important projects in Indiana as well as in the United States," John Moore, staff attorney for the ELPC said. "The state economy can't take a two billion dollar highway project right now. The money could be much better spent on upgrading the current roads."\nAccording to Voices for I-69, the highway will provide over 5,000 new jobs, earn the state $12 billion in economic activity and will give the residents of Southwestern Indiana a safe route to and from Indianapolis.\n"This road is about Indiana\'s continued growth and prosperity. I am committed to seeing it move forward. Our future depends on it,\""Gov. O\'Bannon said in a 1999 press release.\nAlong with O'Bannon, Voices for I-69 supports the project through South Central Indiana and Bloomington. According to the Voices for I-69's Web site, Southwestern Indiana dramatically lags the rest of the state in economic growth because of isolation from interstate networking. \n"Voices for I-69's biggest claim for wasting Indiana money is that a highway would create economic prosperity," Moore said. "They just want to save 10 minutes; not bring economic prosperity for all."\nIn 1999 the Bloomington City Council voted to keep I-69 out of the city. Councilman Andy Ruff spoke outwardly against running I-69 through Bloomington.\n"I support any route that minimizes the environmental, social and fiscal costs," Ruff said. "That route is clearly 41-70. It's the only route that would not require new terrain."\nAccording to the Department of Transportation if a new interstate ran through Bloomington over 10,000 semi-trucks as well as 30- to 40,000 cars would drive through Bloomington daily.\n"Imagine that on the west side of Bloomington," Ruff said. "The pollution and noise would be ridiculous"