Des 1900038
LEGAL NOTICE FOR
PLANNED IMPROVEMENT
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), with funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is proposing to proceed with a bridge replacement project on State Road (SR) 3 over Salamonie River (Des 1900038), approximately 1.32 miles south of SR 218 near Warren, in Jackson Township, Wells County, Indiana.
This project involves replacing the existing bridge with a 3-span continuous composite prestressed concrete bulb-tee beam bridge, supported by semi-fixed piers, and integral end bents that is approximately 268 feet in length, and has a 44-foot clear roadway width. The typical approach section will involve full-depth pavement replacement and consist of two, 12-foot travel lanes, 1 in each direction, bordered by 10-foot usable shoulders (4-foot paved and 6-foot aggregate). SE Willow Road will have full-depth pavement replacement resulting in two, 10-foot travel lanes, 1 in each direction, bordered by 5-foot usable shoulders (4-foot paved and 1-foot aggregate). The bridge railing offset will match the existing to produce a clear roadway width of 44 feet. Riprap drainage turnouts will be constructed at each bridge corner on SR 3 to direct drainage away from the bridge and into drainage ditches and riprap will be placed along the abutments. Approximately 45 to 55 feet of channel clearing under Spans A and C will occur to level the ground and lay a 6.5-foot-wide wildlife passage consisting of natural sand over stone. In addition, a 120-foot long by 15-inch diameter drainage pipe will be installed on the east side of the SR 3 and SE Willow Road intersection that will run beneath SE Willow Road. The project limits will extend approximately 402 feet north and 439 feet south from the center of the bridge for a total of 841 feet along SR 3.
The need for this project is due to the deteriorating conditions of the existing bridge (003-90-01421A/National Bridge Inventory: 001240) conveying SR 3 over Salamonie River. The April 14, 2021 INDOT Bridge Inspection Report, documented moderate-to-heavy surface scaling to stem with delamination and spalling with exposed rebar at the west widening joint. There is also an unsound patch on both sides of the east widening joint as well as a large area of delamination and spalling in the southwest corner at the west widening joint and the stem has spalling at the east widening joint. Piers 2 and 3 have moderate-to-heavy surface scaling to stem with vertical cracking and delamination at the north face of the west widening joint. In addition, the channel banks are exhibiting major damage caused by erosion with debris build-up within the stream channel. The Bridge Inspection Report gave the bridge an overall condition rating of poor (4 out of 9). Condition ratings range from “0” to “9”, with “0” indicating a structure in poor condition and “9” indicating a structure in excellent condition. The purpose of this project is to provide a structurally sufficient bridge on SR 3 over Salamonie River. This project is anticipated to result in an overall bridge condition rating of at least 7, indicating good condition.
Approximately 1.132 acres of permanent right-of-way (ROW) is anticipated to be needed from 6 parcels, primarily consisting of forested property. No temporary ROW will be needed, and this project will not require the displacement or relocation of any residents or businesses.
Impacts to Salamonie River will equal approximately 85 feet and 0.019 acre of permanent impacts due to the installation of new piers, and approximately 89 feet and 0.022 acre of temporary impacts due to temporary cofferdam and causeway. In addition, approximately 0.10 acre of tree trimming/clearing will occur.
The Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) for this project will require closure of SR 3 and Willow Road, as well as a detour utilizing state routes. The proposed detour route will be from SR 3 to SR 18, to SR 5, to SR 218, then return to SR 3. The official detour length will be approximately 31 miles long. The local Southeast Willow Road detour route will utilize West 625 South, SR 3, West 700 South, and South 700 West and is approximately 7 miles in length. The detours are anticipated to be in place for approximately 150 days during the Spring and Summer of 2024. Access to all properties will be maintained throughout construction. School corporations and emergency services will be notified prior to any construction that would block or limit access. The total estimated project cost is $3,562,391. This project is anticipated to begin construction in Spring of 2024.
The Federal Highway Administration and INDOT have agreed that this project falls within the guidelines of a Categorical Exclusion (CE) Level 2 environmental document with no significant adverse impacts to the human and natural environment found during the creation of this document.
Preliminary design plans, along with the CE, are available for review at the following locations:
1. INDOT Fort Wayne District Office, 5333 Hatfield Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46808
2. Wells County Library, Bluffton Branch, 200 West Washington Street, Bluffton, Indiana 46714
3. Beam, Longest and Neff, 8320 Craig Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46250
4. Website: https://tinyurl.com/1900038Documents
All interested persons may request a public hearing be held and/or submit comments to the attention of Raquel Walker by email at rwalker@b-l-n.com by phone at 317-558-7546, or by mail at 8320 Craig Street, Indianapolis, IN 46250 on or before March 24, 2023. In addition, project information, including the environmental document, may be mailed to interested persons upon request. Persons with limited internet access may request project information be mailed, please contact Raquel Walker by email at rwalker@b-l-n.com or by phone at 317-558-7546, or by mail at 8320 Craig Street, Indianapolis, IN 46250.
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 INDOT Fort Wayne District for the arrangement and coordination of services. Please contact Janette Jacquay at 260-969-8309 or JJacquay1@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 Raquel Walker at 317-558-7546 or rwalker@b-l-n.com.
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 Public Involvement Policies and Procedures approved by the Federal Highway Administration on July 7, 2021.
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