The coalition dedicated to maintaining and upgrading U.S. 231 is looking at an idea to make a portion of the road into an interstate.
Since this summer, the U.S. 231 Coalition has been researching a concept to create a new interstate corridor, being called Interstate 67 at this time.
The corridor would run from Nashville, Tenn., to a future extension of I-69. The idea is that it would include the William H. Natcher Parkway that runs through Kentucky and the new four-lane U.S. 231 in Spencer County. It would continue along an improved U.S. 231 in southern Dubois County and then veer west to connect to I-69.
“This new connector could relieve considerable pressure off (Interstate) 65 from Nashville to Indianapolis,” said Sue Ellspermann, a member of the coalition.
Though political candidates in both Huntingburg and Jasper have mentioned their support of the road in comments to The Herald, Ellspermann stressed that the I-67 idea is only in the concept stages.
The Indiana Department of Transportation confirmed this summer that it did not have enough funding to continue the 231 bypass north of Huntingburg Airport.
The U.S. 231 Coalition has been exploring other options since that time, Ellspermann said, “to strengthen the business case and funding potential of a four-lane highway through Dubois County to support the continued economic growth of the region and state.”
The state is extending I-69 south of Indianapolis to create a more direct interstate link from Evansville to the state’s capital.
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