News Source: Clinton County Daily News

The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced that the department and the Federal Highway Administration will continue developing the 52@65 project just north of Lebanon following a report that no issues are expected through an environmental review.

The Federal Highway Administration reportedly issued a “Finding of No Significant Impact” for the 52@65 project, which concludes the environmental review process to indicate that the proposed project will have “no significant impacts” on the quality of the natural and built environment in the area.

The department’s design team reportedly evaluated how the 52@65 project would impact waterways, wetlands, endangered species, historic resources and social and economic factors, and the determination that no significant impact would occur allows for the project to continue.

The next steps were outlined by the department, stating that the design team, which is led by American Structurepoint, will not finalize the project design before accepting bids from construction contractors and vendors. The next steps are expected to be kicked off in late 2024. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2025.

The proposed construction would implement a diverging diamond interchange in the intersection of U.S. 52 and I-65 and has been utilized in numerous locations in Indiana.

According to the department, “the diverging diamond design is considered safer because all left turns occur without drivers needing to cross opposing traffic.” The department stated that the design team deemed the diverging diamond as the best alternative due to its ability to provide improved mobility and direct access to areas east and west of I-65 just north of Lebanon.

The “Finding of No Significant Impact” and responses to public hearing comments may be found online or at the Lebanon Public Library at 104 E. Washington St. in Lebanon.