(Southeastern IN) – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) says the proposed Link 101 corridor project will not move forward.
The agency says a combination of higher than anticipated construction costs, low projected travel benefits, and public feedback sessions that overwhelmingly supported a more moderate approach led to the decision to forgo a broader new-terrain project.
The project would have created a continuous State Road 101 north-south connection between U.S. 50 and the Markland Dam Bridge on the Ohio River, and would have impacted Ripley, Dearborn, Ohio and Switzerland counties.
Instead, INDOT says it will prioritize preservation of local corridor assets, in line with public feedback.
The preliminary alternatives recommendations had anticipated costs of $350 million to more than $450 million. The agency says the anticipated cost is a substantial increase from the original estimated cost of $200 million that was announced in 2021. Higher than anticipated construction costs are a result of the rising costs of materials and labor and the earthwork required by challenging terrain in the project area.
The alternatives identified could provide safety benefits and modest travel time savings, but projected traffic volumes are relatively low in the area, which would limit the total benefits to users.
There was also widespread opposition voiced against the project, both in public meetings and through project communication channels.
Opponents included the Stop Link 101 organization, and State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg-42), who called for the project’s cancellation in March. They said Link 101 would have negatively impacted their communities and quality of life.
INDOT says allocated to Link 101 will be reprioritized statewide, including in Southeastern Indiana.
Meanwhile, State Rep. Alex Zimmerman (R-North Vernon) issued a statement upon the project’s cancellation.
“Many constituents in House District 67 have reached out to me with deep concerns over how this project would cut through their property where they live including generational homesteads and destroy critical farmland. As a result, I’ve personally shared these concerns with the Indiana Department of Transportation and offered legislation earlier this year that could have stopped the project from moving forward. That’s why I’m grateful to see INDOT reverse course and cancel their plans to pursue the controversial Link 101 Corridor Project,” Zimmerman said.
Active and anticipated future projects for the region and the state can be viewed on INDOT’s Next Level Roads map.
Any information gathered to date for Link 101 could be considered for future projects.
The Link 101 project website is expected to be available for access through this fall.
After that, the information will be released by INDOT upon request.
