Winona Lake INDOT 1600788
September 23, 2020 at 11:42 a.m.
By -
PLANNED IMPROVEMENT
INDOT Des. No. 1600788
The Town of Winona Lake with oversight from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) intend to utilize Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funds for a portion of the cost for the reconstruction of the intersection of Kings Highway, Winona Avenue, Park Avenue and Argonne Road (INDOT Des No. 1600788). The project is located within the Town of Winona Lake, Wayne Township, Kosciusko County, Indiana. Specifically, the project is located in Section 15, Township 32 North, and Range 6 East as illustrated on the Warsaw, Indiana, U.S. Geological Survey Quadrangle.
The primary need for this project is congestion and a failing Level of Service (LOS) due to the poor roadway geometrics of the existing intersection. Level of Service is a term used to qualitatively describe the operating conditions of a transportation facility. It is based on factors such as speed, travel time, maneuverability and delay. There are six Levels of Service, and each level is assigned a letter designation from A to F, with LOS A representing the best operating conditions, and LOS F the worst.
A majority of the traffic flow through the intersection is west to east on Winona Avenue to Kings Highway, west to north on Winona Avenue to Argonne Road and from north to east on Argonne Road to Kings Highway. There are an inadequate number of lanes from eastbound Winona Avenue to northbound Argonne Road and from southbound Argonne Road to eastbound Kings Highway. The acute angles of the converging roadways at the intersection contribute to difficult left turn movements, for these two directions of travel specifically. This results in long queues and delays in the traffic movement, especially during the peak morning and evening travel hours. The purpose of the project is to achieve an improved LOS.
Traffic analysis revealed that the introduction of a partial, eastbound dual-lane will improve the operational conditions and corresponding LOS of the current traffic signal-controlled intersection. The improved traffic flow and reduction in congestion will be achieved by providing dual lanes for the eastbound traffic on Winona Avenue to merge southbound onto Park Avenue, eastbound on to Kings Highway or continue northbound to Argonne Road. A dedicated left turn lane from southbound Argonne Road to westbound Winona Avenue will also be provided. The roundabout will eliminate the conflicted left turn movements, reduce congestion and will also improve sight distance.
Approach lane widths will vary from 18ft. on northbound Park Avenue to 14ft. on westbound Kings Highway, 15ft. on southbound Argonne Road and 12ft. on eastbound Winona Avenue. The roundabout will have an inscribed circle diameter of 140ft. with a 14ft. truck apron. Other features included in the roundabout design are raised splitter islands and specialized pavement markings including directional and yield arrows to assist motorists with lane direction. New, decorative lighting will be installed along all four legs of the roundabout. The lighting will consist of 30ft. tall post style lights with downward-facing, pendent luminaires. The existing decorative light posts within the project area will be cleaned and reset.
Construction limits will extend 320ft. west on Winona Avenue, 90ft. north on Argonne Road, 167ft. east on Kings Highway, and 149ft. east on Park Avenue. Raised, reflective pavement markers will be installed beyond the roadway construction limits to a maximum length of 400 ft. The total project length is 0.17 mile.
A segment of the Heritage Trail/Lake City Greenway Trail will be relocated and replaced in-kind as part of the intersection improvements. The trail runs along the south side of Park Avenue, extending around the southwest quadrant of the intersection and continuing along the west side of McKinley Street. The trail will be shifted slightly to the south and west to accommodate the intersection modifications. Access to the trail will be maintained during construction utilizing a temporary path until the permanent trail is constructed. The existing sidewalk currently located along the north side of Winona Avenue will be eliminated as part of the proposed improvements. The preferred alternative will meet the purpose and need of the project by improving the geometrics of the intersection, reducing congestion and achieving an improved LOS.
Traffic will be maintained in four phases, but a detour will be required for larger vehicles exceeding 7,000 pounds due to difficulties in negotiating the temporary traffic circle during construction. The detour will utilize Winona Avenue, Detroit Street (SR 15), US 30, Wooster Road and Kings Highway. Construction is expected to begin in December 2021 and depending on weather conditions, extend throughout the summer/early fall of 2022. The cost of construction is estimated at $1,059,150.00.
A total of 0.509 acre of additional, permanent right-of-way and 0.274 acre of temporary right-of-way will be required to complete the project. The additional, permanent right-of-way consists of 0.002 acre residential land and 0.507 acre of commercial land adjacent to the reconfigured intersection. The temporary right-of-way consists of 0.042 acre residential land and 0.232 acre of commercial land.
The Federal Highway Administration and the INDOT have agreed that this project falls within the guidelines of a Level 3 Categorical Exclusion (CE-3). No significant adverse impacts to the human or natural environment were identified as part of this environmental documentation process. There will be no wetland impacts and there are no endangered species of plants or animals that will be impacted. Preliminary design plans, along with the environmental document are being made available for review on-line at www.winonalake.net. Hard copies of the documents are also provided at the Winona Lake Town Hall, located at 1310 Park Avenue, Winona Lake, Indiana 46590.
Persons with limited internet access may request that the project information be mailed. Please contact Ms. Elayna Stoner at (317) 605-2736 or [email protected] to request hard copies of project documents. Furthermore, accommodations for persons with Limited English Proficiency can be requested, if necessary. In accordance with the “Americans with Disabilities Act”, if you have a disability for which The Town of Winona Lake needs to provide accessibility to the above documents such as interpreters or readers, please contact Elayna Stoner at the phone number or email address provided above.
All interested persons may request a public hearing or express their concerns by submitting written comments to the attention of Elayna Stoner at Metric Environmental, LLC, 6971 Hillsdale Court, Indianapolis, IN 46250 or [email protected] on or by October 9, 2020. If a hearing is determined to be in the best interest of the public, the community will be notified. Otherwise, any comments or materials received as a result of this legal notice will be considered in the decision-making process. The design plans are not yet final until after these public involvement requirements are finalized. The CE-3 will be updated to reflect all public comments and inquiries.
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 August 16, 2012.
9-25, 10-2 hspaxlp
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PLANNED IMPROVEMENT
INDOT Des. No. 1600788
The Town of Winona Lake with oversight from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) intend to utilize Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funds for a portion of the cost for the reconstruction of the intersection of Kings Highway, Winona Avenue, Park Avenue and Argonne Road (INDOT Des No. 1600788). The project is located within the Town of Winona Lake, Wayne Township, Kosciusko County, Indiana. Specifically, the project is located in Section 15, Township 32 North, and Range 6 East as illustrated on the Warsaw, Indiana, U.S. Geological Survey Quadrangle.
The primary need for this project is congestion and a failing Level of Service (LOS) due to the poor roadway geometrics of the existing intersection. Level of Service is a term used to qualitatively describe the operating conditions of a transportation facility. It is based on factors such as speed, travel time, maneuverability and delay. There are six Levels of Service, and each level is assigned a letter designation from A to F, with LOS A representing the best operating conditions, and LOS F the worst.
A majority of the traffic flow through the intersection is west to east on Winona Avenue to Kings Highway, west to north on Winona Avenue to Argonne Road and from north to east on Argonne Road to Kings Highway. There are an inadequate number of lanes from eastbound Winona Avenue to northbound Argonne Road and from southbound Argonne Road to eastbound Kings Highway. The acute angles of the converging roadways at the intersection contribute to difficult left turn movements, for these two directions of travel specifically. This results in long queues and delays in the traffic movement, especially during the peak morning and evening travel hours. The purpose of the project is to achieve an improved LOS.
Traffic analysis revealed that the introduction of a partial, eastbound dual-lane will improve the operational conditions and corresponding LOS of the current traffic signal-controlled intersection. The improved traffic flow and reduction in congestion will be achieved by providing dual lanes for the eastbound traffic on Winona Avenue to merge southbound onto Park Avenue, eastbound on to Kings Highway or continue northbound to Argonne Road. A dedicated left turn lane from southbound Argonne Road to westbound Winona Avenue will also be provided. The roundabout will eliminate the conflicted left turn movements, reduce congestion and will also improve sight distance.
Approach lane widths will vary from 18ft. on northbound Park Avenue to 14ft. on westbound Kings Highway, 15ft. on southbound Argonne Road and 12ft. on eastbound Winona Avenue. The roundabout will have an inscribed circle diameter of 140ft. with a 14ft. truck apron. Other features included in the roundabout design are raised splitter islands and specialized pavement markings including directional and yield arrows to assist motorists with lane direction. New, decorative lighting will be installed along all four legs of the roundabout. The lighting will consist of 30ft. tall post style lights with downward-facing, pendent luminaires. The existing decorative light posts within the project area will be cleaned and reset.
Construction limits will extend 320ft. west on Winona Avenue, 90ft. north on Argonne Road, 167ft. east on Kings Highway, and 149ft. east on Park Avenue. Raised, reflective pavement markers will be installed beyond the roadway construction limits to a maximum length of 400 ft. The total project length is 0.17 mile.
A segment of the Heritage Trail/Lake City Greenway Trail will be relocated and replaced in-kind as part of the intersection improvements. The trail runs along the south side of Park Avenue, extending around the southwest quadrant of the intersection and continuing along the west side of McKinley Street. The trail will be shifted slightly to the south and west to accommodate the intersection modifications. Access to the trail will be maintained during construction utilizing a temporary path until the permanent trail is constructed. The existing sidewalk currently located along the north side of Winona Avenue will be eliminated as part of the proposed improvements. The preferred alternative will meet the purpose and need of the project by improving the geometrics of the intersection, reducing congestion and achieving an improved LOS.
Traffic will be maintained in four phases, but a detour will be required for larger vehicles exceeding 7,000 pounds due to difficulties in negotiating the temporary traffic circle during construction. The detour will utilize Winona Avenue, Detroit Street (SR 15), US 30, Wooster Road and Kings Highway. Construction is expected to begin in December 2021 and depending on weather conditions, extend throughout the summer/early fall of 2022. The cost of construction is estimated at $1,059,150.00.
A total of 0.509 acre of additional, permanent right-of-way and 0.274 acre of temporary right-of-way will be required to complete the project. The additional, permanent right-of-way consists of 0.002 acre residential land and 0.507 acre of commercial land adjacent to the reconfigured intersection. The temporary right-of-way consists of 0.042 acre residential land and 0.232 acre of commercial land.
The Federal Highway Administration and the INDOT have agreed that this project falls within the guidelines of a Level 3 Categorical Exclusion (CE-3). No significant adverse impacts to the human or natural environment were identified as part of this environmental documentation process. There will be no wetland impacts and there are no endangered species of plants or animals that will be impacted. Preliminary design plans, along with the environmental document are being made available for review on-line at www.winonalake.net. Hard copies of the documents are also provided at the Winona Lake Town Hall, located at 1310 Park Avenue, Winona Lake, Indiana 46590.
Persons with limited internet access may request that the project information be mailed. Please contact Ms. Elayna Stoner at (317) 605-2736 or [email protected] to request hard copies of project documents. Furthermore, accommodations for persons with Limited English Proficiency can be requested, if necessary. In accordance with the “Americans with Disabilities Act”, if you have a disability for which The Town of Winona Lake needs to provide accessibility to the above documents such as interpreters or readers, please contact Elayna Stoner at the phone number or email address provided above.
All interested persons may request a public hearing or express their concerns by submitting written comments to the attention of Elayna Stoner at Metric Environmental, LLC, 6971 Hillsdale Court, Indianapolis, IN 46250 or [email protected] on or by October 9, 2020. If a hearing is determined to be in the best interest of the public, the community will be notified. Otherwise, any comments or materials received as a result of this legal notice will be considered in the decision-making process. The design plans are not yet final until after these public involvement requirements are finalized. The CE-3 will be updated to reflect all public comments and inquiries.
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 August 16, 2012.
9-25, 10-2 hspaxlp
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