February 4, 2003
The Monroe County Green Party strongly opposes Governor Frank O'Bannon's choice for the I-69 extension and vows to continue working against any new terrain highway in southwestern Indiana. We find Governor O'Bannon's choice fiscally irresponsible, environmentally unsound, socially damaging and a slap in the face of public opinion in Monroe County
O'Bannon's highway would cost at least $1.7 billion, a price tag that would require Indiana to invest all federal highway dollars plus almost all state highway funds into the project. Little or no money would remain to repair Indiana's existing roadways. While our other roads crumble, the only economic gains that most Hoosiers would find consist of low-wage jobs at fast food restaurants and service stations along the Interstate. Chain stores may also see the shiny new highway as a welcome mat and move in, hurting local businesses and our already struggling downtown economies.
O'Bannon's highway would destroy thousands of acres of farmland, woodland, and sensitive wildlife habitats, and threaten 16 endangered species. The chosen route moves through karst terrain where construction may lead to serious groundwater contamination. This highway would bring irreversible environmental destruction and forever change the face of southwest Indiana.
The new terrain Interstate would divide people, farms, habitats, and communities. Farmers whose fields would be split by the highway would not be able to move a tractor across it. Neighbors once 5 minutes apart would be separated by a huge slab of concrete, having to drive dozens of miles out of their way to cross the highway. I-69 construction would lead to increased isolation, making emergency services less accessible and social interaction more difficult.
Thousands of Hoosiers have spoken out against a new terrain highway, but INDOT and the Governor did not even wait for the public input to be evaluated before selecting a route. The Tier 1 environmental impact study of the project is not even complete. There is no point in conducting a study if your decision will not be based on the result. Governor O'Bannon has a lot of explaining to do if he wants the public to believe that he really has their best interests in mind.
This highway would lay another huge stone on the path of unsustainable development. Modes of transportation that rely on oil contribute to the Greenhouse Effect and make us dependent on foreign countries for our energy needs. Instead of pouring all its money into I-69, we urge the State of Indiana to promote mass transportation alternatives such as light-rail and non-polluting, zero-emission vehicles.