The public will get a close look at the latest version of the I-65/I-70 North Split Interchange Reconstruction on Monday, Aug. 3, when the Indiana Department of Transportation hosts a public hearing in the Ivy Tech Community College Culinary and Conference Center, 2820 N. Meridian St. in Indianapolis.
Doors will open at 4 p.m. There will be presentations at 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Parking is free for the public hearing.
The hearing will give interested persons an opportunity to comment on the Environmental Assessment for the I-65/I-70 North Split Interchange Reconstruction – although it appears unlikely that any significant further changes will be made to the project. The plans, however, have been altered significantly since first announced, with much of the credit going to the Rethink 65/70 coalition of Downtown stakeholders who worried about the negative impact the original plans would have on historic neighborhoods and Downtown in general.
The project, which could see construction begin later this year, is intended to both rehabilitate and improve the existing interstate facilities leading to and through the I-65/I-70 North Split interchange in downtown Indianapolis. The needs for the project are correct deteriorated bridge conditions, correct deteriorated pavement conditions, improve safety, and improve interchange operations and reduce congestion.
The environmental documentation is available to view prior at www.northsplit.com/ea and at the following Indianapolis locations:
* HNTB Office, 111 Monument Circle, Suite 1200
* Central Library, 40 East Saint Clair St.
* Spades Park Branch Library, 1801 Nowland Ave.
* Garfield Park Branch Library, 2502 Shelby St.
* Martindale-Brightwood Branch Library, 2434 North Sherman Drive
Verbal statements will be accepted during a public comment session at the public hearing for the official public record immediately following the formal presentation. Verbal comments may be restricted to time limitations based on the number of speakers.
All verbal statements recorded during the public hearing and all written and verbal comments submitted prior to, during and for a period of two weeks following the hearing date, will be evaluated, considered and addressed in subsequent environmental documentation.
Comments may be submitted in the prior to the public hearing and within the comment period in the following ways:
* North Split Website – https://northsplit.com/contact-us.
* North Split Email Address – info@northsplit.com.
* North Split PO Box – PO Box 44141, Indianapolis, IN 46244.
* INDOT Toll Free Phone Number – 1-877-799-6570.
The official public comment period for the EA began on July 17 and will end on Aug. 17, 2020.
Social distancing guidelines will be followed. The capacity of each presentation is limited to 66 people to allow for social distancing. Project team members will wear face masks and project exhibits will be spaced six feet apart. Hand sanitizer will be available, and attendees are required to wear face masks per the July 9 mandate by Marion County. Disposable face masks will be provided if attendees do not bring their own masks.
In addition to the public hearing, a virtual public information meeting will be conducted by the North Split Project Team at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 30. The presentation will be conducted via WebEx, an online meeting platform. The presentation will be identical to the in-person public hearing presentation. A link to access the online presentation and instructions can be found at www.northsplit.com. (The virtual public information meeting will also be broadcast on Indianapolis Government Access Channel 16.) Persons with limited internet access may request project information be mailed. Please contact the project email address, info@northsplit.com
With advance notice, INDOT will provide accommodations for persons with disabilities with regards to participation and access to project information as part of the hearings process including arranging auxiliary aids, interpretation services for the hearing impaired, services for the sight impaired, and other services as needed. In addition, INDOT will provide accommodations for persons of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) requiring auxiliary aids including language interpretation services and document conversion. Should accommodation be required please contact Erin Pipkin, Compass Outreach Solutions, at 317-966-7301 or erin@compassoutreachsolutions.com.
PHOTO ABOVE: The efforts of the Rethink 65/70 Coalition kept the North Split project from enlarging the roadway’s footprint and further dividing Downtown’s historic neighborhoods.
