Just one day after a series of packed town halls united Dubois County residents against the proposed Mid-States Corridor highway, the movement shifted from community centers to the courthouse steps. On October 15, dozens gathered in Jasper for a rally and pivotal court hearing that could determine how far the state can go in accessing private property for the controversial project. The demonstration began at noon on the Dubois County Courthouse lawn, with locals wearing red “Stop The Mid-States Corridor” shirts and holding handmade signs.

What began as a small grassroots campaign has now become a coordinated legal and civic push, drawing farmers, homeowners, and small business owners from across the county. At 1:30 p.m., the dispute moved inside, where Dubois Circuit Court heard arguments involving forty-four landowners who have refused to grant the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) permission to survey their properties.

The courtroom quickly filled, with additional seating opened on the third floor to accommodate overflow. The case centers on whether INDOT has the legal right to enter private land to collect environmental and engineering data as part of its ongoing Tier 2 Environmental Study. That study, which is evaluating potential routes for the corridor connecting Huntingburg and Jasper to I-69, remains in progress with no final decision expected before 2026. Opponents argue that forced access would set a dangerous precedent for property rights across Indiana. “We’re not against progress,” said one local farmer outside the courthouse, “but there’s a line between public good and government overreach.” While the hearing’s outcome is still pending, the day’s turnout showed that opposition is not fading.

Following last night’s town halls, which laid out the economic and environmental stakes of the project, today’s rally marked the movement’s most visible show of unity yet. Two additional gatherings are planned to sustain momentum: a Property Rights Alliance meeting on October 30 at Klubhaus61 in Jasper, and a Regional Development Authority board session on November 1 at the Huntingburg Event Center. Whether or not INDOT prevails in court, residents say their effort will continue beyond this case.

As one organizer put it, “The town halls started the conversation — today proved it’s not ending anytime soon.”