Batesville, In. — The Indiana Department of Transportation will conduct a public hearing at Batesville next week regarding a proposed bridge replacement on State Road 46 at Little Laughery Creek, located 1.22 miles west of S.R. 229 in Franklin County.
The state’s hearing—scheduled for next Thursday (OCT 18) in Room B of the Batesville Memorial Public Library at 131 N. Walnut Street—is also the final opportunity for a qualified party to take ownership responsibility for the existing S.R. 46 structure. (This bridge has been marketed for re-use for over six months; to date, there has been no response. Information can be found at http://www.in.gov/indot/2532.htm.)
Beginning at 5 p.m., area residents and others can look at preliminary plans, view display materials and ask questions about the proposal and process.
A formal presentation will be made at 5:30 p.m.
At 6 p.m., for-the-record comments from individuals with concerns or observations will be recorded. These public-hearing statements and all written comments submitted prior to, during and for a two-week period ending Friday, November 2 will be taken into consideration before final engineering plans are developed.
At this time, a preferred alternative plan proposes replacing the existing S.R. 46 Little Laughery Creek bridge with a single-span box-beam structure. The project would include new pavement approaches, guardrail and rip rap for scour protection. No new permanent right of way is required.
Written comments may be submitted to: INDOT Public Hearings, IGCN Room N642, 100 North Senate Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
The environmental document and preliminary design plans may be viewed in advance of the hearing at these locations:
- Batesville Memorial Public Library, 131 N. Walnut Street at Batesville
- Indiana Department of Transportation Southeast District offices at 185 Agrico Lane in Seymour
- Hearings Examiner office at N642 in the Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Avenue at Indianapolis.
