The purpose of the public hearing is to offer all interested persons an opportunity to comment on current preliminary design plans to modify the intersection at State Road (SR) 26 and Park Road in Kokomo, Howard County. The purpose of the project is to enhance safety at the intersection and to address the frequency of vehicular collisions due to an increase in traffic volume at this location.
As proposed, the project involves the construction of a traffic signal, left turn lanes on all approaches to the intersection and a right-turn lane on the east leg of S.R. 26. With regards to the left turn lanes at the approaches, the west approach will consist of two 12-foot wide lanes with a 12-foot wide left turn lane, two 7-foot wide usable shoulders and two 6-foot wide paved shoulders. The east approach consists of two 12-foot wide lanes, a 12-foot wide left turn lane, a 12-foot wide right turn lane, a 7-foot wide usable shoulder (6-foot wide paved). The north and south approaches consist of two 11-foot wide through lanes, an 11-foot wide left turn lane and 5-foot usable shoulder (4-foot wide paved). The proposed project does not include permanent lighting at the intersection. The project will extend along Park Road approximately 500 feet north and south of the center of S.R. 26. The project extends approximately 1,000 feet east and west of the intersection on S.R. 26.
Regarding Maintenance of Traffic (MOT), the plans currently call for S.R. 26 to remain open with shifted lanes to utilize shoulders under phased construction with a reduced speed limit of 45 mph. Park Road north and south of S.R. 26 is proposed to be closed per the north and south phases during construction and a local detour route will be provided. Access to all residential properties and South Creek Church of God will be maintained during construction. INDOT will coordinate with emergency services, local school corporation officials and project stakeholders to ensure potential disruptions and impacts are minimized as much as possible. The project will require approximately 0.7 acre of permanent new right-of-way, in addition to some temporary right-of-way needed during construction.
Federal and state funds are proposed to be used for construction of this project. INDOT and the Federal Highway Administration have agreed that this project poses minimal impact to natural environment. A Categorical Exclusion (CE) environmental document has been prepared for the project. The environmental documentation and preliminary design information is available to view prior at the following locations:
Kokomo-Howard County Public Library South, 1755 East Center Road, Kokomo, IN 46902
INDOT Greenfield District Office, 32 South Broadway, Greenfield, IN 46140
INDOT Office of Public Involvement, Room N642, 100 N. Senate Ave., Indianapolis, IN
46204‑2216, Phone # (317) 232-6601 [email protected]
A project webpage will be created prior to the public hearing to ensure project information is available on-line via the INDOT Greenfield District page https://www.in.gov/indot/2704.htm.
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 Public Hearings, IGCN Room N642, 100 North Senate Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46204. E-Mail: [email protected]. INDOT respectfully requests comments be submitted by Monday, March 2, 2020.
With advance notice, INDOT will provide accommodations for persons with disabilities with regards to participation and access to project information as part of the hearings process including arranging auxiliary aids, interpretation services for the hearing impaired, services for the sight impaired and other services as needed. In addition, 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 Rickie Clark, INDOT Office of Public Involvement at (317) 232-6601, or email [email protected].
WINTER WEATHER NOTICE
In the event of inclement weather resulting in hazardous driving conditions, please call the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Office of Public Involvement to learn of any postponement of the public hearing. If the public hearing is postponed due to inclement weather, it will be rescheduled for Thursday, February 20, 2020 at the South Creek Church of God beginning at 6:00pm and the public comment period would be extended.