US Rep seeks measure targeting anti-I-69 group

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Updated: February 2, 2012 11:22PM

BLOOMINGTON (AP) — An Indiana congressman is seeking an amendment to a federal bill that would target a Bloomington group’s refusal to include part of the Evansville-to-Indianapolis Interstate 69 extension in its local transportation plan.

The amendment offered by Republican U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon would give governors the authority to insert an interstate highway into a transportation improvement plan “without approval or endorsement” of a local Metropolitan Planning Organization.

The Bloomington-Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization has refused to include I-69 in its area transportation plan. That step is needed for federal money to be used on a 1.75-mile stretch of I-69 near the city. The full highway will span 142 miles.

A House committee was scheduled Thursday to consider Bucshon’s amendment to the federal highway reauthorization bill.