Transportation chief says no I-69 loop for now

EVANSVILLE, -- A complete loop around Evansville isn't part of the study for an extension of Interstate 69 south of Indianapolis, the head of the state's Department of Transportation said.\nJ. Bryan Nicol, Indiana's transportation commissioner, told the I-69 Study Advisory Committee on Wednesday that I-69 at Evansville is "Segment 4" of the interstate that eventually will extend to the Texas-Mexico border.\nCongress requires that the road connect Interstate 64 in Vanderburgh County with the Breathitt Parkway in Henderson County, Ky., and the study "is not about building a loop around the city of Evansville," Nicol said.\nSome members of the citizen study committee have pressed the state to consider building bridges and interstate roads east and west of the city to give Evansville and Henderson a highway loop.\nThe committee meets periodically with highway officials from both Kentucky and Indiana to discuss the progress of the study.\nNicol left open the possibility of a future study of a loop around the city once the I-69 there is completed.\nAn interstate loop around Evansville has the backing of businesses and other groups, particularly among those who want the interstate's route to go west of the city.\nBut some of those supporters believe the I-69 route eventually selected may be east of Evansville because a long portion of the existing Interstate 164 could be used. That would be less costly than building additional miles of new interstate highway on the west side.\nThe committee members, however, are split over where I-69 should go. Henderson officials usually favor an eastside route.\nA recommendation of a single route is to be made next year.