INDOT ‘disappointed’ in Monroe County’s exclusion of I-69 in plans

The Indiana Department of Transportation has urged Monroe county to include Interstate 69 in its long-term transportation plans and called the county’s decision to not do so “disappointing.”

“The Policy Board actions were uncooperative and not continuing the previous direction determined with the amendment of I-69 into the TIP in November 2010,” a letter from the department said, referring to the Monroe County’s transportation plans as the TIP.

The Bloomington/Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization voted not to include I-69 in its transportation plan in May.

“The Policy Board’s unannounced action to remove I-69 and alter the TIP, without ample notice of such action being provided to the public, contradicts the intent and purpose of public participation and involvement in the planning process,” the letter stated.

Previously, INDOT had threatened to withhold all state funding for transportation projects in Monroe County if the interstate was not included as part of Monroe county’s future plans.

In 2009, INDOT said more than $30 million in state funding for transportation projects could be withheld.

According to law, a local community’s plans for major transportation projects and that state’s plans must match or the state has the right to withhold money.

The letter from the department was released the same day Gov. Mitch Daniels announced his renewed commitment to the construction project.

“I am so pleased to see things coming together on this project and we’ll see it through in Bloomington, whether they like it or not,” Daniels said while visiting U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, which is located southwest of Bloomington along the proposed route.

— Zach Ammerman