The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is beginning a planning process along the U.S. 30 and U.S. 31 corridors in Indiana and officials are looking for input from residents in this process in order to find long-term solutions for these areas.
INDOT Strategic Communications Director Natalie Garrett said in a media briefing Friday that each study will identify a range of alternatives, including a no-build alternative for each corridor.
“As part of INDOT’s commitment to enhancing safety, mobility and economic development, we’re launching two Planning and Environmental Linkages studies: ProPEL U.S. 30 and ProPEL U.S. 31,” stated Garrett. “These studies are an important first step in identifying critical needs, environmental concerns and potential solutions for the 180-mile study area along U.S. 30 and U.S. 31.”
The public input gathered will determine community needs in identifying solutions.
Garrett said the study will take two years and will follow the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) process.
“The PEL process is used by transportation agencies to make and document planning decisions. It’s a little bit different from other studies in the way that it allows INDOT to better understand community needs and develop alternatives to meet those needs. It involves a more in-depth public involvement process.”
Garrett added that INDOT will be using different platforms to collect resident input.
“INDOT will seek input through both in-person and virtual public meetings, as well as online public comment forms, social media, individual meetings – members of the project team will be having office hour-type meeting options at specific locations along the corridors. We’ll be sharing more information about those later.”
More information about the studies can be found at ProPELUS30.com and ProPELUS31.com. Public input can also be submitted on those websites. More information on public meetings will be released at a later date.
Photo provided by INDOT
