November 3, 2011
11/04/11 A public hearing on the construction of the 7th Road Corridor was held Thursday evening in the Commissioner’s meeting room of the County Building.
The proposed two phase project begins at Pine Road and continues east to Linden Road for a total distance of 3.9 miles. The corridor will consist of two-lanes of roadway that are 12 feet wide with 10 foot shoulders and open drainage. A new 70 foot bridge will be necessary over the Elmer Seltenright Ditch and a new railroad crossing. Roundabouts are proposed at the 7th Road intersections with Pine Road, Oak Road, and Michigan Road.
Phase I of the 7th Road Corridor will extend 7th Road from Michigan Road to Linden Road. The total length of this phase will be approximately 1.8 miles. Estimated cost for phase I is $8.1 million including construction and right-of-way. Phase II of construction will advance 7th Road from Pine Road to Michigan Road, a total estimated distance of 2.1 miles and estimated cost of $6.1 million for construction and right-of-way. Total cost for the entire project including construction and right-of-way is $14.2 million
Project manager Greg Wendling from USI said the entire project (phase I & II) will require approximately 140 acres of new right-of-way acquired from 23 parcels. At the present time, it is anticipated that two residences would be displaced by the project.
Right-of-way acquisition for phase I would begin in early 2012 with bid letting summer or fall of 2012 and construction anticipated to begin in the fall of 2013. Completion of phase I is estimated to be the fall of 2014. Construction of Phase II, may occur as early as 2016.
Although this was a public hearing on the 7th Road Corridor only two people spoke following the review of the design. Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter took time to thank the County and USI for their work on this project and commented that it will be the north gateway into the City of Plymouth.
7B Road resident Tom Isenbar asked, “With 7B road becoming a cul-de-sac what effects will that have on our property values?” He was told to speak with a team member during the information discussion period following the public hearing on his concerns.
That being the only two comments, the public hearing was closed.
Folks interested in submitting will have until November 21st to do so. Comments can be mailed to USI Consultants at 8415 East 56th Street in Indianapolis, IN 46216 or emailed to gwendling@usiconsultants.com .