Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associations

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PRESS RELEASE: February 12, 2004

Indianapolis – Indiana gubernatorial candidate Eric Miller officially announced his position on I-69 today, weighing in on one of the state’s most heated political issues.  He announced his support for the I-70 and U.S. 41 route, arguing it is the common sense decision to make.

Miller said that after reviewing relevant information involving the proposed new terrain route for I-69 he believes the right decision is to expand I-70 and U.S. 41.  There have been countless feasibility studies outsourced by the state that have all come back with the same question – should Indiana spend $1 billion to save 11 minutes of travel time from Indianapolis to Evansville?  The Governor thinks the answer to that question is yes.  Eric Miller feels the answer is no.

Citing the I-69 Evansville to Indianapolis Final Environmental Impact Statement commissioned by the Indiana Department of Transportation and pointing to the tens of thousands of Hoosiers voicing their opposition to the new terrain route, Miller said Indiana needs to act immediately on plans for a more cost-effective drive to Evansville than the proposed route by the Governor.

“Anyone who does a simple cost-benefit analysis of the Governor’s proposed new terrain route will quickly find that the minor benefits do not justify the extreme cost of taxpayers’ money and property,” said Miller.  Continuing, he argued, “Indiana taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay $1 billion to save 11 minutes on a three-hour drive from Indianapolis to Evansville.”

Miller cited five major considerations leading to his decision to oppose the I-69 new terrain route:

1.      The new terrain route costs $1 billion more than Miller’s plan to expand the existing I-70 and U.S. 41 route.

2.      The new terrain route is only 11 minutes faster; saving only 12-14 miles out of a 154-156 mile drive.

3.      Over 6900 acres of land will be consumed by the Governor’s new terrain route, including Indiana farmlands, forests, and wetlands. (3880 acres more than Miller’s plan.)

4.      Terre Haute will suffer economic losses due to a new terrain I-69 that will divert nearly 30% of the current U.S. 41 traffic. 

5.      Knox, Vigo, and Sullivan Counties have the second, third, and seventh highest Indiana poverty rates.  Decreasing traffic flow through these areas will further decimate these economies.

Recognizing that a quality highway from Indianapolis to Evansville is long overdue, Miller said Indiana must act quickly and not delay progress.  He said that good old fashioned Hoosier common sense would indicate that since I-70 and U.S. 41 already exist, his plan would certainly take less time to complete than the projected time for the Governor’s new terrain route – 21 years.  As governor, Miller would use the $1 billion saved on other state transportation projects like U.S. 31.

Miller asked those in attendance, “Does it make sense to spend $1 billion more to save only 11 minutes and cut through Hoosier farmlands and forests in Southwest Indiana?”

“Improving Indiana’s highway infrastructure would be a priority of my administration.  Indiana should capitalize on its location as the crossroads of America and work aggressively toward becoming the transportation, distribution, and warehousing capital of the nation,” said Miller.  “The time for action is now.  But we need to act wisely by building an improved roadway to Evansville that saves taxpayers $1 billion and enables us to use the money we save to improve other highways in our great state,” concluded Miller.    

Eric Miller is a Republican Indiana gubernatorial candidate who is an attorney and the Founder and former Executive Director of Advance America, Indiana’s largest pro-family, pro-business, and pro-tax reform organization.  Miller started Advance America over 23 years ago and has grown its network to over 500,000 Hoosiers including 42,000 families, 1,500 businesses, and 3,800 churches.

 Eric and his family live in Hendricks County.

Hoosiers for Eric Miller can be reached at (866) 259-2004 or visit their website at www.ericmiller2004.com.