2026-029

LEGAL NOTICE PLANNED IMPROVEMENT DES. #: 2200689

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has developed preliminary plans for a proposed State Road (SR) 66 bridge replacement over Clear Creek, 3.28 miles east of SR 165, located in Posey County (Des 2200689). The limits of the project extend 325 feet east and west from the center of the existing bridge for a total of 650 feet, encompassing the entire bridge and approaches. The project proposes to replace the existing bridge. The existing bridge over Clear Creek is a cast-in-place concrete stringer with footings placed on rock. It is 46 feet long with a 32.7 foot out-to-out width and a 40-foot span. The proposed new bridge will be a reinforced concrete single span slab bridge with a 35.33-foot clear roadway width and a 42.55-foot span. The project also includes, but is not limited to, replacing the guardrails, scour protection in Clear Creek, realigning the two unnamed tributaries on the northeast and northwest side, correcting roadside slopes, and reshaping roadside ditches.

The maintenance of traffic plan for this project involves closing the road to traffic and using a 25-mile-long detour consisting of SR 65, I-64, and SR 165. Access to all properties will be maintained throughout construction. Project stakeholders including local school corporation(s) and emergency services will be notified of potential closures and/or detours prior to any construction.

Construction of the project will require approximately 1.67 acres of new permanent right-of-way with an estimated total project cost of $3,997,000. No temporary right-of-way will be needed. Every effort to avoid, minimize, and/or mitigate project impacts will be made. The permanent right-of-way impacts will be approximately 0.80 acre on the north side and 0.59 acre on the south side. The permanent ROW will be used to replace the structure, access the unnamed tributaries, and place riprap within the channel. Federal and states funds are to be utilized for the construction of the project.

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 impacts to wetlands. It is anticipated that 0.31 acre of trees will be removed during this project. The US Fish and Wildlife Service made a “not likely to adversely affect” the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) and/or the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) effect determination. Erosion protection will be placed at the bases of the piers of the bridge. The two UNTs to Clear Creek, on the northeast and west sides of the bridge will be realigned and riprap will be placed at both outlets to Clear Creek. Proposed impacts have been minimized to the extent practicable and cannot be avoided due to construction access needs and worker safety.

Preliminary design plans, along with the CE are available for review at the following locations: 1) Alexandrian Public Library, 115 W Fifth St, Mt Vernon IN 47620, 2) Evansville Public Library North Park, 960 Koehler Dr, Evansville, IN 47710 and online at 4) INDOT: Vincennes District Projects

All interested persons may request a public hearing be held and/or submit comments to the attention of Virginia Flynn, vflynn@kaskaskiaeng.com, 618-233-5877, 201 E. Main Street, Belleville, IL 62220, no later than February 26, 2026. In addition, project information, including the environmental document, may be mailed to interested persons upon request.

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 the INDOT Vincennes District for the arrangement and coordination of services. Please contact Gregory Branzinsky, grbrazinsky@indot.in.gov , INDOT Vincennes District, 3650 S US 41, Vincennes, IN 47591. 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 Gregory Branzinsky, grbrazinsky@indot.in.gov , INDOT Vincennes District, 3650 S US 41, Vincennes, IN 47591.

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 Project Development Public Involvement Procedures Manual approved by the Federal Highway Administration on July 7, 2021.

Published in the Posey County News on February 11, February 18, 2026 - hspaxlp