DES. # 2200184 LEGAL NOTICE OF PLANNED IMPROVEMENT

DES. # 2200184 LEGAL NOTICE OF PLANNED IMPROVEMENT The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is developing plans for a proposed roadway improvement project on SR 42 (Designation Number (Des) 2200184), from 6.00 miles east of SR 59 to 2.20 miles west of SR 243 in Clay and Owen Counties, Indiana. The project proposes to correct curves along SR 42 to provide a more favorable wheel path for motorists that are navigating the curves. The need for this project is due to the existing curves not providing desirable maneuverability for vehicular traffic, especially large trucks, primarily due to the existing inadequate pavement width. The existing pavement includes 10-foot-wide travel lanes with no shoulders. The existing curves do not provide the desired wheel paths for large vehicles, and they require a substantial reduction in speed for all vehicles to safely navigate each curve. The purpose of this project is to improve the maneuverability of the curves within the project area by addressing the inadequate turn radii, pavement width, and shoulder width at each curve, thereby providing a large enough wheel path for motorists, particularly large trucks, to navigate each curve. Each curve will be reconstructed to provide a widened roadway with a minimum of 12-foot-wide travel lanes and four-foot-wide shoulders (approximately three feet paved with one-foot-wide gravel). Portions of the curves will include larger shoulders as needed to meet turn radius criteria. The existing pavement will be removed, new full-depth pavement will be installed at each curve location, and private drive entrances and approach roadways will be reconstructed to tie into the new pavement. Roadside ditches within the project area will be reconstructed as needed to accommodate the grading for the reconstructed roadway and to provide adequate drainage. The project will acquire approximately 5.08 acres of permanent right-of-way from residential, commercial, agricultural, and forested properties. Permanent right-of-way will be acquired from the John and Hanna Ahlemeyer historic property, which will constitute a de minimis Section 4(f) use of this property. Approximately 0.0264 acre of temporary right-of-way will be required from a residential property. No relocations of residents or businesses will be required for this project. Right-of-way will be acquired in accordance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisitions Policies Act of 1970 (the Uniform Act). The Maintenance of Traffic for the project will require a closure at each curve and a detour route. The official detour route will utilize SR 59, I-70, and SR 243, and will be approximately 20.5 miles in length. Local detour routes that utilize the adjacent county roads will be available. The closure and detours are anticipated to last for approximately four weeks per curve, with the overall construction for this project lasting approximately eight months. The proposed start of construction is Spring 2028. The cost of the project is estimated at $1,980,000, which includes engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and construction costs. 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. Impacts to unnamed tributary (UNT) 1 to Ahlemeyer Branch and UNT 1 to Cagles Mill Lake will occur for grading, small structure replacement, and installation of riprap erosion control. Three wetlands will be impacted due to pavement widening and associated grading. The project will require removing approximately 1.60 acres of trees for construction access and grading. Various utilities may be temporarily impacted within the project area during construction. No permanent impacts to utilities are anticipated. Preliminary design plans, along with the CE document, are available for review at the following locations: • Brazil Public Library, 204 N Walnut St, Brazil, IN 47834 • Owen County Public Library, 10 S Montgomery St, Spencer, IN 47460 • INDOT Crawfordsville District Office, 41 W 300 N, Crawfordsville, IN 47933 (765)-978-1345 • INDOT Crawfordsville District's Website: (https://www.in.gov/indot/about-indot/central-office/welcome-to-the-crawfordsville-district/crawfordsville-district-projects/) All interested persons may request a public hearing be held and/or express their concerns by submitting comments to the attention of Christian Radcliff (cradcliff@sjcainc.com, 317-566-0629), or to the INDOT Project Manager, Jessica Massing (jmassing@indot.in.gov, 765-978-1345) on or before June 17, 2026. In addition, project information, including the environmental document, may be mailed to interested persons upon request. If a hearing is determined to be in the best interest of the public, additional notification will be prepared and the public notified. Otherwise, any comments or materials received will be considered in the decision-making process. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), persons and/or groups requiring project information be made available in alternative formats are encouraged to contact the INDOT Crawfordsville District for the arrangement and coordination of services. Please contact Jessica Massing (765-978-1345; jmassing@indot.in.gov). In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, persons and/or groups requiring project information be made available in another language are encouraged to contact the INDOT Project Manager, Jessica Massing (jmassing@indot.in.gov). Special accommodations related to accessibility and auxiliary aids or services such as interpreters, signers, readers, or large print can be provided upon request. 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 Project Development Public Involvement Procedures approved by the Federal Highway Administration on July 7, 2021. May 27, June 3 2026 LSBN0524272