I-69 opponents lament accidents, erosion near construction sites

Opponents of the controversial Interstate 69 construction project are challenging what they call the “extremely dangerous traffic hazards and property damage” resulting from construction of the interstate in Greene and Daviess counties.

Citizens for Appropriate Rural Roads, an I-69 opposition group, issued a press release citing several accidents the group says resulted from construction of the interstate.

One of the traffic incidents cited, which occurred Oct. 10, resulted in the death of three people when a truck moving gravel for the construction project collided with two disabled vans, killing the occupants of the vans and a farmer who had stopped to help, CARR alleged.

They also noted an incident at an interstate construction site in which four people were seriously injured Oct. 31, as well as other incidents involving minor injuries. CARR said that these injuries were a result of I-69 construction.

CARR said it believes the construction and improper warning signs are making the construction project too dangerous.

CARR also cited significant erosion as a result of the interstate construction. It said construction is drying up aquifers near the Greene and Daviess county line, draining the water basin. Two water wells nearby have gone dry, the group said.

“We ask that work in this area be stopped and an independent hydrologist be brought in to assess the situation,” CARR representatives said in a press release.

Bill Boyd, a Greene County farmer, said the construction project needs to slow down.

“When you are in a rush, you make mistakes. People get hurt and their property gets destroyed,” Boyd said.

“Gov. Daniels will be leaving in a year, but we will be spending the rest of our lives here.”

According to a CARR press release, “INDOT has frequently bragged that the construction of I-69 is ‘ahead of schedule and under budget.’”

“We are concerned that this frenzied rush to complete the highway to U.S.-231 in Greene County before Gov. Daniels leaves office is endangering public health and safety, leading to the destruction of valuable natural resources and creating situations that will lead to many more problems in the future.”

— Zach Ammerman