During the public hearing for INDOT’s proposed extension of CR 1300 N held April 29 at the Justice Building in Warsaw, Christy Doty, left, pointed out the property she and her husband have lived on for 30 years to Jeff Andrews, road way designer, center, and Charles Boltz, project manager. Photo by David Hazledine

By David Hazledine
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Indiana Department of Transportation held a public hearing regarding the proposed extension of CR 1300N north of Milford in Kosciusko County on April 29 in the Justice Building in Warsaw.

The hearing marks the final stage of environmental documentation before land acquisition begins. Officials expect construction to begin by early 2022.

The project includes the extension of CR 1300N to connect with SR 15 as well as the construction of an overpass bridge to eliminate the need for crossings of the Norfolk Southern Railroad in Milford and Milford Junction.

The hearing started at 5 p.m. with an hour-long period for attendees to view project maps and speak directly with employees of INDOT, as well as project managers from Michael Baker International and Burgess & Niple.

Christy Doty, who has lived on land near the proposed site for 30 years, was one stakeholder who seemed satisfied she would not be adversely affected by the work after speaking with Michael Bakers’s Charles Boltz, project manager, and Jeff Andrews, a roadway designer from Burgess Niple.

“It’s a sweet little project,” said Boltz, “It’s pretty straightforward … it gives the community what they need … The whole community will grow with more connectivity.”

As Environmental Manager Wendy Vaclet commented that efforts to get the project started go back decades, though work did not begin in earnest until 2019, following the award of a Local TRAX grant.

The need for the project, said Vaclet, is the lack of connections between SR 15 and CR 1300 N.

“CR 1300N provides the primary east-west connection between the town of Milford, and Syracuse, which are access points for SR 15 and SR 13, respectively. SR 15 is the main connection for traffic between the Town of Milford and the cities of Warsaw and Goshen.”

The purpose of the project, she said, is to “improve local and regional mobility by improving connection between the communities of Milford, Syracuse, Goshen and Warsaw.”

The completion of the environmental documentation process, she added, allows the use of federal funding. When it is complete, she said, “We’re off and running.” The next phase will include land acquisition and construction bids.

The cost of the project is estimated at $7.8 million and will require 15.44 acres of permanent right-of-way and 0.33 acres of temporary right-of-way during construction.

The only public comment made during the hearing was from Bruce Woodward who oversees a nine-acre tract south of the project area between Main Street and SR 15, which he said was in holding “to use for this project, which has been in the government’s minds for 20 years.”

He added his comments were more in relation to the future appraisal process, as tracts to the south would become “useless pieces of ground,” a fact which would “have to be followed up.” The project, he said, would benefit truck traffic serving “America’s unending demand for products and services.”

Main Street will be realinged to the east to allow for the new bridge to cross both the Norfolk Southern Railroad and Main Street.

The comment period will remain open until May 14, 2021. Comments may also be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to Michael Baker International, 3815 River Crossing Parkway, Suite 20, Indianapolis, IN, 46240.