The Indiana Department of Transportation will host a public open house on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the South Spencer High School Auditorium, 1142 N CR 275 W, Rockport, Indiana 47635. A brief presentation will be held at 6:00 pm.
Displays and representatives will be available prior to and following the presentation.
The purpose of the public meeting is to notify all interested persons regarding the revised design plans for a proposed intersection improvement at State Road (SR) 66 and Orchard Road (N CR 275 W), 0.26 mile east of SR 161, located in Spencer County. On June 23, 2017, a public hearing on preliminary design plans was held for this project, which included a roundabout. In response to community concerns, INDOT modified the project by eliminating the roundabout and proposing a signalized intersection with an added turn lane.
The revised preferred alternative includes widening the intersection to accommodate an added left turn only lane along eastbound SR 66, a mill and overlay of existing pavement, drainage improvements, an upgraded signal, and upgraded signs. As part of this project, several pipes and culverts will be replaced. Guardrail will be installed where needed. Approximate project termini were expanded east and west to achieve left turn lane deceleration and storage lengths. The approximate termini are from 1,105 feet west to 595 feet east of the intersection center and from 320 feet south to 265 feet north of the intersection center. The preferred alternative will meet the project’s purpose and need by improving safety with lengthened deceleration areas, increasing the capacity of the intersection and correcting drainage issues.
A total of 0.8 acres of permanent right-of-way and up to 0.5 acres of the temporary right-of-way was acquired for this project. The project is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2020, and work will occur year-round. During construction, the intersection will remain open to traffic along SR 66. The area will be restricted to one lane of traffic, which will be controlled by temporary signals. Traffic traveling north- and south-bound along Orchard Road/N CR, 275 W will experience temporary disruptions requiring detours via local roads, SR 161, and SR 66.
Project information, including environmental documentation, will be available for public viewing on the INDOT Vincennes District’s webpage at https://www.in.gov/indot/2707.htm, prior to the public meeting date.
FOOTNOTES: In accordance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and with advance notice, INDOT will provide accommodation for persons with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services such as sign language interpretation, large print materials, Communication Access Real-Time or CART (typed text to a visual presentation) and/or other related services.
If you are an individual with a disability or represent an ADA stakeholder group and require an accommodation related to participating at the public open house, you are encouraged to contact the INDOT Office of Public Involvement at (317) 232-6601 or email rclark@indot.in.gov.
In addition, accommodation for persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), such as language interpretation services and document conversion services, can be arranged by contacting the INDOT Office of Public Involvement.
