NOTICE OF LOCAL TRAX PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE
The Indiana Department of Transportation and City of Elkhart will host a public open house to inform residents and solicit feedback about the proposed Local Trax Railroad Overpass at Hively Avenue.
An in-person public open house will be hosted on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Zion Missionary Church at 1135 E. Hively Avenue, Elkhart, Indiana 46517. Displays and representatives available to answer residents’ questions throughout the two-hour window.
The purpose of the open house is to offer all interested persons an opportunity to learn about and comment on the preliminary preferred alternative for the 0.5-mile Local Trax Railroad Overpass at Hively Avenue on the southeast side of Elkhart in Elkhart County. The project limits extend from Bismark Avenue to Hazel Street and extend to crossing streets including Monger Avenue, Morton Avenue, Roosevelt Avenue, Homer Avenue, Main Street, Garden Boulevard, Norfolk Southern Railway, Sterling Avenue, Eddy Street, Hammond Avenue, Lowell Avenue and Warren Street.
The need for this project stems from safety and mobility issues for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and trains at the railroad crossings. The Norfolk Southern Railroad (NSRR) trains typically run through these crossings 70 to 100 times a day. Furthermore, the trains regularly stop on the tracks, restricting traffic for extended periods of time, and delaying emergency vehicle access on either side of the tracks. The proposed project will eliminate the existing NSRR at-grade crossing at Hively Avenue by creating a bridge that will carry Hively Avenue traffic over the NSRR and South Main Street.
There will be temporary and permanent right-of-way that will be acquired for this project. Construction is estimated to begin in 2023. During construction, Hively Avenue and the at-grade crossings will remain open to the extent possible. Some closure of local roads is expected and detours will be provided. Additional information will be made available as the project development process progresses.
Additional project information is available at www.elkhartindiana.org.
The public open house will follow Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) guidance for health and safety protocols. Project team members will wear face masks and/or coverings and attendees are encouraged to do so. Face masks, hand sanitizer and access to hand washing facilities will be provided. Social distancing guidelines will be adhered to, including monitoring the number of attendees participating to comply with local regulations.
In accordance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and with advance notice, INDOT can provide accommodation for persons with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services such as sign language interpretation, large print materials and/or other related services. If you are an individual with a disability or represent an ADA stakeholder group and require accommodation related to participating at the public open house, you are encouraged to contact Erin Pipkin at erin@compassoutreachsolutions.com or (317) 966-7301.
DES. #: 1801933
