PUBLIC HEARING

DES. #: 0100445
LEGAL NOTICE OF
PUBLIC HEARING
The Indiana Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, September 25, 2012, at 6:00pm in the Bluffton High School Cafeteria (Door 1 – Main Entrance), 1 Tiger Trail , Bluffton, Indiana 46714.
The purpose of the public hearing is to offer all interested persons an opportunity to comment on current design plans for the proposed State Road (SR) 1 widening and intersection improvement beginning just south of SR 116 and ending approximately 150’ south of the intersection with Spring Street, Bluffton, Indiana and located in Wells County. 
The proposed improvements consist of widening on both sides of SR 1 to add a center continuous two-way left-turn lane.  The existing shoulders will be replaced with concrete curb and gutter with concrete driveways added for access to the properties along the road.  Also included is the closing of the intersection of Scott Street with SR 1.  As a result of the Scott Street closing, a 120-foot diameter cul-de-sac centered approximately 360’ south of Spring Street is proposed.  New storm sewers will be constructed on both sides of SR 1 to collect the road drainage and address existing drainage deficiencies.  The majority of the project storm water will discharge to Delong Ditch (Bill’s Creek) located south of the project limits.  The storm sewers from the existing Scott Street intersection to Spring Street will drain north to an existing City of Bluffton manhole at the intersection.
Construction of the project will require approximately 5.878 acres of new permanent right-of-way.  The project does propose the relocation of one business as a result of the cul-de-sac.  Traffic will be maintained during construction by narrowing the lanes and keeping one lane open in each direction.
The tentative timetables for the right-of-way acqui¬sition and construction will be discussed during the formal presentation.  Public statements for the record will be taken after the presentation.  Individuals interested in participating in the public statement session may sign the speaker’s schedule prior to the presentation.
All comments collected before, during and for a period of two (2) weeks after the hearing will be evaluated and addressed in the final design study report.  The preliminary plans will be available for anyone interested in talking to the engineers about the project before and after the formal presentation.  Conversations will not be part of the official record.
With advance notice INDOT can make special accommodations for persons with disabilities and/or limited English speaking ability, and persons needing auxiliary aids or services of interpreters, signers, readers, or large print.  If special accommodations are needed please call the Public Hearings office at (317) 232-6601, by Monday, September 17, 2012.
The environmental document and preliminary design plans along with other materials on the project are available for viewing in the following offices:
1. Hearings Examiner, INDOT, 100 North Senate Avenue, N642, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 2216, Phone # (317) 234 0796
2. Planning & Programming Department, Indiana Department of Transportation Fort Wayne District office at, 5333 Hatfield Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46808, Phone # (866) 227-3555
2. Wells County Public Library, Reference Desk, 200 West Washington Street, Bluffton, Indiana, 46714, Phone # (260) 824-1612
This notice is published in compliance with Code of Federal Regulations, Title 23, Section 771 (CFR 771.111(h)(1) states: “Each State must have procedures approved by the FHWA to carry out a public involvement/public hearing program.”  23 CFR 450.212(a)(7) states: “Public involvement procedures shall provide for periodic review of the effectiveness of the public involvement process to ensure that the process provides full and open access to all and revision of the process as necessary.”, approved by the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation on August 16, 2012.
nb 9/10, 17