Public hearing for SR 42 bridge project set Dec. 9 at Poland

POLAND -- The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will conduct a public hearing Dec. 9 for the proposed State Road 42 bridge rehabilitation over the Eel River.

The hearing will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the community room at the Poland Community Volunteer Fire Department. Doors will open at 5 p.m.

The public hearing will offer all interested persons and opportunity to comment on the current design plans and the environmental document for the proposed SR 42 Bridge rehabilitation project over the Eel River, located approximately 7.34 miles east of State Road 59 in southeastern Clay County.

The purpose and need of this project is to maintain the bridge deck and return the driving surface to a near new condition to avoid costly future repairs that would result from postponing such work.

This structure is classified as a "Select" bridge by the INDOT Historic Bridge Inventory. Per the Historic Bridge Programmatic Agreement Project Development Process, all work will be conducted in accordance with rehabilitation requirements identified in the Standard Treatment Approach for Historic Bridges.

Details, to be presented at the public hearing, will include construction of a new bridge deck overlay, minor truss repairs and painting of the truss.

Construction of the project would not require additional right-of-way nor would displacement of residents or businesses be involved with this project.

Due to the narrowness of the existing structure, full closure of the bridge will be required during the rehabilitation work, utilizing Interstate 70 and State Road 243 for the official state detour to maintain traffic during the project.

A tentative timetable for construction will be discussed during the formal presentation.

Public statements for the record will be taken after the formal presentation. Individuals interested in participating in the public statement session may sign the speakers schedule prior to the presentation.

All comments collected before, during and for a period of two weeks after the hearing will be evaluated and addressed as part of the official public hearings transcript.

Anyone who would like to comment but cannot attend the public hearing may e-mail comments to Mary Wright at mwright@indot.in.gov.