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Frequently Asked Questions
Following
is a list of Frequently Asked Questions. The answers to these questions
are deliberately brief and, where appropriate, direct the reader to applicable
sources of more detailed information. It is important to keep in mind
that many aspects of the US 231 Relocation Study are considered preliminary
and, as such, no final decisions have been made. Once a DRAFT Environmental
Document has been completed, a public review period will be scheduled.
Comments
received (via mail, email, and the website) will be answered through direct
dialogue with staff members at public meetings, CAC meetings and within
the document itself. Comments are reviewed on a regular basis for common
themes, additional information important to the study, and for information
to be used in the Community Impact Assessment task being performed.
We
hope this FAQ section of the website helps you to understand more about
the project and we look forward to seeing you at future US 231 Relocation
Study meetings.
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1.
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Q:
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What
is the purpose and need for this leg of US 231?
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A:
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The Purpose & Need for the entire relocation of US 231 from south
of CR 500 S to US 52 was established in the 1987 DEIS and 1992 FEIS
and corresponding ROD (the full text of these documents is available
on the website and in the project repository). The purpose and need
for the entire relocation was designed to ease traffic congestion
and accidents in the area of the current US 231 (notably Northwestern
Avenue, State Street, etc.); to conform to existing state and local
transportation plans; and to meet the needs of future land use planning.
The northern portion of the route between SR 26 and US 52 is necessary
to complete the previously approved plans for the relocation of US
231.
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2.
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Q: |
Why
were certain western alignments developed by Baker subsequently recommended
for elimination from detailed study?
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A: |
Some
western alignments do not meet the purpose and need for the proposed
action because:
- They
lack conformity with existing plans (TCAPC, Purdue) that call
for connections with extensions of Cherry Lane and Cumberland
Avenue.
- According
to current and future traffic models, they will not generate enough
volume to lessen present (and future predicted) traffic congestion
and accidents on roads and intersections near the Purdue University
campus (i.e. Northwestern Avenue, McCormick Road, State Street,
etc.). This is because traffic destined for the north side of
West Lafayette is not likely to go very far west only to return
eastward.
- They
are inconsistent with the intent of local land use plans (TCAPC,
Wabash Township), which call for maintaining the rural character
of the area.
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3.
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Q: |
Why
isn't the No-Build Alternative being given greater consideration,
since it remains "on the table?"
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A: |
The
No-Build Alternative is carried forward as required by FHWA regulations,
and is used as a base line for traffic, accident, and planning comparisons
between the Build Alternative alignments. The No-Build Alternative
remains "on the table", even though, as applied to the northern
portion, it does not meet the purpose and need for the proposed action.
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4.
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Q: |
Is
US 231 a "bypass," and if so, why don't you take it all
the way to Montmorenci and connect it with US 231 out there?
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A: |
Relocated
US 231 is not proposed as a "bypass" in the same sense as
I-465 in Indianapolis (for example). It is not intended to reroute
through traffic beyond the greater Lafayette/West Lafayette area.
Rather, it is intended for use by local traffic and, as such, would
not attract acceptable volumes if routed toward Montmorenci.
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5.
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Q: |
Will
Relocated US 231 result in commercial businesses being developed along
the route, as happened with US 52 and SR 26 south?
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A: |
US
231 will be a limited access highway with no curb cuts and intersections
only with certain roads such as Cherry Lane (extended), SR 26 West,
and Cumberland Avenue (extension).
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6.
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Q: |
What
are the access and intersection considerations for Cherry Lane, SR
26, Lindberg Road, Cumberland Avenue, Klondike Road (if a western
alignment is chosen) and US 52?
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A: |
In
general, while various potential access points and intersections are
being considered for alignments carried forward for more detailed
study, these scenarios will not be expressly examined or determined
until a Preferred Alternative is selected.
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7.
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Q: |
How
will the northern terminus of US 231 at US 52 tie into the larger
study of a future route to I-65?
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A: |
The
study referred to is intended to examine a variety of possible routes
for US 231 from I-70 to I-65. However, the US 231 Relocation Study
(SR 26 to US 52), including a recommended terminus at US 52, is likely
to be completed before US 231 from I-70 to I-65, in which case this
study will incorporate that detail. Lastly, the US 231 Relocation
Study (SR 26 to US 52) is a programmed, approved project with a ROD
issued in 1992. Additional information about the US 231 from I-70
to I-65 study is available at www.corradino.com/us231.
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8.
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Q: |
We
have heard that the cost to build the road is not a concern for elimination
of alignments. Can you clarify this?
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A: |
Ultimately,
cost is a factor in evaluating the final selection of a preferred
alternative. For example, if two alternatives rate similarly in all
other factors, then cost would be considered. However, cost is not
considered a major factor in early evaluation and elimination of alignments,
which is based mainly conformity to purpose and need and other fatal
flaws (such as impacts to certain public parks, historic properties,
etc.).
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9.
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Q: |
Can
the project maps show more detail as to where current roads are?
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A: |
Project
maps have been updated to show more detailed information, including
neighborhoods, secondary roads, easier identification of each alignment,
etc.
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10.
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Q: |
Can
you please put more information (primarily the information given at
the public meeting) up on the website?
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A: |
All
public meeting information, CAC meeting materials, prior documents
on the study, maps, etc. have been posted to this website. E-mail
update subscribers receive notification when new information has been
added to the site.
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11.
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Q: |
Is
Baker (INDOT's consultant for the US 231 Relocation Study between
SR 26 and US 52) communicating with the Corradino Group (INDOT's consultant
for the US 231 from I-70 to I-65 Environmental Assessment) to ensure
coordination between the two studies?
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A: |
Yes,
both firms are in collaboration with each other.
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12.
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Q: |
How
can I find out about meetings?
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A: |
INDOT
sends press releases concerning upcoming meetings to local media before
meetings. Also, as soon as meeting dates and locations are set, they
are advertised on the homepage of this website. Project update e-mails
are also sent to the public informing them of upcoming events. You
can sign up to be added to the project e-mail and mailing lists at
public meetings by sending a request to INDOT. See the website
feedback page for more information. |
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13.
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Q: |
Where
will impacts to wetlands, floodplains, air quality, and noise levels
be addressed?
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A: |
The
impact on natural, human, and cultural environments will be investigated
for alignments carried forward for detailed analysis and will be addressed
in the DRAFT Environmental Document.
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