Benefits

Interstate 69 is a new corridor connecting seven states from Michigan to Texas. Since the Interstate system was started more than 50 years ago, jobs and economic development have followed them across North America. In fact, communities that do not have an Interstate highway are often not considered for major industrial or business facilities.
In Kentucky, 2003 figures from Kentuckians for Better Transportation show that counties in Kentucky with single or multiple Interstate access had a per capita income of $30,122. Counties with parkway and/or single Interstate access had a per capita income of $22,328. Counties with no high quality road—which includes much of western Kentucky—had a per capita income of $19,277. Clearly, Interstate access and economic development go hand-in-hand.

I-69 would results in these benefits for mid-America:

• Seventeen of the nation’s top 25 seaports will be directly connected to I-69. Fifteen of the nation’s top 25 air cargo airports will be directly accessible to I-69.
• Studies show I-69 will return $1.63 for every dollar invested.
• From Houston to Indianapolis, I-69 will create 27,000 jobs, add $11 billion in wages and produce $19 billion in value added through 2025.
• There are more than 10.5 million people living below the poverty level in the seven I-69 states.