Plans progressing for ramp onto CR 29

By Deb PattersonStaff WriterSyracuse Town Council members briefly mentioned a notice received Indiana Department of Transportation is proposing a connector (ramp) and new intersection at US 6 and CR 29, just north of Syracuse, during its council meeting Feb. 19. The cost of the project is $1.1 million.The legal notice states the project proposes to provide direct access for local traffic between CR 29 and US 6. Access from one roadway onto the other was closed in 2016 when an overpass was constructed on CR 29 over US 6. State Sen. Blake Doriot has noted on several occasions a ramp would be installed at that intersection allowing access to both roadways. A preliminary drawing was shown in August during a public hearing on the roundabout proposed for US 6, SR 13 and CR 33.According to the notice the “minor collector” will provide an 11-foot wide through lane, 4-foot paved shoulder and a 2-foot aggregate shoulder in each direction. It will have a speed limit of 35 miles per hour and be stop controlled. Eastbound US 6 will be expanded to include a tapered 12-foot wide deceleration/right turn lane and a westbound US 6 tapered passing blister. The project will also include installation of small structures, creation of ditches and utility relocations.No detours will be required during the construction, but there will be traffic barriers, temporary lane narrowing and reduced speed limits.The project will require approximately 3.82 acres of new permanent right of way. State and federal funds are available for construction of the project.Preliminary design plans, along with the categorical exclusion (level 2 environmental document) are available to review at: Goshen Public Library, 601 S. Fifth St.; INDOT Fort Wayne District, 5333 Hatfield Road, Fort Wayne, and INDOT Hearings Examiner’s office, Room N642-COM of the IGCN, 100 N. Senate Ave., Indianapolis.Additionally, interested persons may request a public hearing or express concerns by submitting comments to Mary Wright, public hearing examiner at INDOT, Room N642, 100 N. Senate Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2216 or mwright@indot.in.gov on or before March 4.