Lawsuit Filed Against Federal Government and Indiana State Highway Commissioner over Interstate 69

Strategic Insights -

A lawsuit was filed against the federal government and the Indiana state highway commissioner over Interstate 69, a $2 billion project that would extend 142 miles and pass through Martinsville and Bloomington. The lawsuit claims that the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is biased against the idea of upgrading U.S. 40 and Interstate 70 and violated environmental law to select the proposed route. Monroe County Council president Sophia Travis, council member Mark Stoops, and Bloomington City Council member Andy Ruff are among the plaintiffs, who are acting as private individuals. The lawsuit asks the court to stop work on I-69 and issue an injunction to halt planning and design work on the state's favored route.

Key Takeaways:

  • The lawsuit was filed by members of the Hoosier Environmental Council, Citizens for Appropriate Rural Roads, the Sassafras Audubon Society, and six area residents, alleging that INDOT is biased against upgrading U.S. 40 and Interstate 70.
  • The plaintiffs claim that INDOT violated environmental law to select the proposed route for I-69.
  • The lawsuit names among its defendants the Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Army Corps of Engineers, the US. Fish and Wildlife Service, and INDOT commissioner Thomas Sharp.
  • The proposed route for I-69 would replace existing Ind. 37 and pass through Martinsville and Bloomington, with a portion of the road tentatively scheduled to break ground in summer 2008.
  • The lawsuit asks the court to issue an injunction to halt planning and design work on the state's favored route for I-69.
  • Gary Abell, a spokesman with the state department of transportation, said that INDOT is moving forward on the project, citing "solid" data used to determine the route.
  • Andy Ruff, a member of the Bloomington City Council, said that he's opposed the highway for years and has been frustrated with the public process during the highway studies.
  • Sophia Travis, president of the Monroe County Council, said that she didn't hesitate to join the suit because the project concerns her both environmentally and because the proposed route would run very close to her home in Clear Creek Township.

Statistics:

  • The proposed I-69 project would cost $2 billion.
  • The proposed route for I-69 would replace 13 miles of existing Ind. 37 and pass through Martinsville and Bloomington.
  • The project would extend 142 miles from Martinsville to Evansville.
  • INDOT plans to break ground for construction of a 13-mile long portion of the road in summer 2008.
  • The lawsuit was filed in federal court by members of the Hoosier Environmental Council, Citizens for Appropriate Rural Roads, the Sassafras Audubon Society, and six area residents.

Sources:

  • Herald-Times, Bloomington, Ind. - October 3, 2006
  • McClatchy-Tribune Business News
  • Associated Press
  • Hoosier Environmental Council
  • Citizens for Appropriate Rural Roads
  • Sassafras Audubon Society