The purpose of the public hearing is to offer all interested persons an opportunity to comment on current design plans for the proposed addition of an Auxiliary Two-Way Left-Turn Lane on State Road (SR) 5 from United States Highway (US) 20 to School Street in the Town of Shipshewana, LaGrange County.
The purpose of this project (Des 1700179) is to improve safety on this segment of SR 5 by reducing the frequency and severity of collisions at this location by reducing lengthy left-turn queues that lead to a high rate of rear-end and right-angle collisions and by minimizing conflicts between motorized vehicles and horse-drawn buggies. Correcting existing pavement deterioration and improving deficient surface drainage patterns are also contributing reasons for the proposed improvements.
The preferred alternative is to widen SR 5 to accommodate the addition of an Auxiliary Two-Way Left-Turn Lane, buggy lanes, and concrete curb-and-gutter. The project proposes to install full-depth pavement adjacent to the existing roadway shoulders to accommodate the required roadway widening followed by a HMA preventative maintenance overlay of the newly widened SR 5 from US 20 to School Street. The new pavement section will consist of two through lanes separated by a center two-way left-turn lane and bordered on each side by buggy lanes with concrete curb-and-gutter. Driveways and street approaches through the project area will be reconstructed as needed.
The project requires approximately 0.44 ac. of permanent right-of-way (ROW) from residential, commercial, and agricultural properties and approximately 0.85 ac. of temporary ROW from residential, commercial, and agricultural properties for the perpetuation of driveways and regrading of lawns.
The maintenance of traffic (MOT) plan for this project will involve phased construction sequencing and lane shifts, allowing the corridor to remain open to traffic for the duration of construction. Local streets may be used by local traffic. Access to all properties will be maintained throughout construction. School corporations, local officials and emergency services will be notified of closures prior to construction. The proposed start of construction is Spring 2022.
The construction cost associated with this project is approximately $5.0 million with both federal and state funds anticipated to be used. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and INDOT have agreed this project falls within the guidelines of a Categorical Exclusion (CE) Level 2 environmental document. Preliminary design plans, along with the CE, are available for review on the following website: https://www.in.gov/indot/4264.htm, or in person at the LaGrange County Public Library, Shipshewana Branch, 250 Depot Street, Shipshewana, IN 46565.
Public statements for the record will be taken as part of the public hearing procedure. All verbal statements recorded during the public hearing and all written comments submitted prior to, during and for a period of two (2) weeks following the hearing date, will be evaluated, considered, and addressed in subsequent environmental documentation. Written comments may be submitted prior to the public hearing and within the comment period to: INDOT Fort Wayne District, 5333 Hatfield Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46808. E-Mail: mwitt@indot.IN.gov. INDOT respectfully requests comments be submitted by April 9, 2021.
Copies of project information may be mailed upon request.
In accordance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), with advance notice, INDOT will provide accommodations for persons with disabilities with regards to participation and access to project information as part of the public hearing process including arranging auxiliary aids, interpretation services for the hearing impaired, services for the sight impaired and other services as needed. Additionally, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, INDOT will provide accommodations for persons of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) requiring auxiliary aids including language interpretation services and document conversion. Should accommodation be required please contact Matthew Witt at 260-399-7320 or MWitt@indot.in.gov. This notice is published in compliance with: 1) Code of Federal Regulations, Title 23, Section 771 (CFR 771.111(h)(1) stating, “Each State must have procedures approved by the FHWA to carry out a public involvement/public hearing program.”; 2) 23 CFR 450.210(a)(1)(ix) stating, “Provide for the periodic review of the effectiveness of the public involvement process to ensure that the process provides full and open access to all interested parties and revise the process, as appropriate.”; and 3) The INDOT Public Involvement Policies and Procedures approved by the Federal Highway Administration on August 16, 2012.
