The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will host a public hearing on Monday, March 23, 2026 at Hanover Central High School, 10120 W 133rd Ave, Cedar Lake, IN. The doors will be open at 5:30 p.m. CT to give participants time to view displays and talk to representatives. The formal hearing portion will begin with a presentation at 6 p.m. CT followed by an opportunity for verbal statements.
The purpose of the public hearing is to offer all interested persons an opportunity to review and comment on preliminary design plans for the U.S. 41 Roadway Improvement Project in Lake County, Indiana. The proposed project is located along U.S. 41 from 3.35 miles south of U.S. 231 (to the south of W. 133rd Avenue) to U.S. 231.
The need for the project is due to overall deficient safety performance along the U.S. 41 corridor based on the occurrence of traffic crashes. This roadway segment has an elevated crash frequency compared to other similar roadways. The purpose of the project is to improve the safety of the corridor.
The proposed project is to establish a Two-Way Left-Turn Lane (TWLTL) throughout the project area where U.S. 41 would be widened in both directions throughout the length of the proposed construction area. Of the 163 structures located within the project area, there are 105 culverts which will be replaced in-kind, extended to accommodate roadway widening, and/or adjusted to grade. Traffic signals at U.S. 231 and W. 133rd Avenue will be replaced. Sidewalk and curb ramps will be upgraded/installed at the intersection of U.S. 41 and W. 133rd Avenue. Existing permanent lighting will be replaced in-kind. Additionally, new permanent lighting will be installed in the northwest, southwest, and southeast quadrants of the intersection of U.S. 41 and W. 133rd Avenue.
The project is anticipated to require a total of 18.90 acres of new permanent right-of-way (ROW) and 6.09 acres of reacquired ROW in order to widen the roadway and construct the TWLTL. The project is anticipated to require a total of 0.69 acre of temporary ROW in order to facilitate construction access and reconstruct driveways throughout the corridor. No relocations of businesses or residences are anticipated. The project is anticipated to permanently impact approximately 2,200 linear feet of stream habitat in order to widen the roadway and reconstruct adjacent ditches. The project is anticipated to permanently impact approximately 1.3 acres of roadside wetlands in order to widen the roadway and reconstruct adjacent ditches. Approximately 22 acres of roadside terrestrial habitat will be impacted, including approximately 3.5 acres of tree clearing in order to widen the roadway and construct the TWLTL. Mitigation for impacts to streams and wetlands is anticipated.
The maintenance of traffic (MOT) plan is expected to utilize phased construction to allow continued flow of traffic throughout construction. Pedestrian MOT will be provided at the intersection of U.S. 41 and W. 133rd Avenue. Access to all properties will be maintained throughout construction. School corporations and emergency services will be notified of closures prior to construction. The proposed start of construction is spring of 2028 and will last through early 2029.
The cost associated with this project is approximately $19,332,950, which includes preliminary engineering, right-of-way, and construction with both federal and state funds anticipated to be used. The Federal Highway Administration and INDOT have agreed this project falls within the guidelines of a Categorical Exclusion (CE) Level 4 environmental document. Preliminary design plans along with the CE are available for review at the following locations:
- Cedar Lake Branch of the Lake County Public Library (10010 W. 133rd Ave., Cedar Lake, IN 46303)
- INDOT Northwest District Office (315 E. Boyd Blvd., LaPorte, IN 46350); 1-855-INDOT4U
- INDOT Northwest District Website: bit.ly/US41TWLTL
Public statements for the record will be taken as part of the public hearing procedure. All verbal statements recorded during the public hearing and all written comments submitted prior to, during, and for a period of two (2) weeks following the hearing date, will be evaluated, considered, and addressed in subsequent environmental documentation. Written comments may be submitted prior to the public hearing and within the comment period to: Mitchell Wilcox, Michael Baker International, 3815 River Crossing Parkway, Suite 20, Indianapolis, IN 46240.
INDOT respectfully requests comments be posted by Tuesday, April 7, 2026, to be included as part of the public hearing record.
In accordance with Indiana Code 5-14-1.5-2.9, INDOT is offering livestreams of all public hearings. You must register at the following link in order to participate in the livestream: bit.ly/US41TWLTLHearing. Comments from livestream attendees will only be accepted in electronic written form, not verbally.
A recording of the livestream will be posted to the INDOT YouTube page after the hearing and will also be linked to the project webpage where project materials are also available. The recording will be available online for at least 90 days.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), INDOT will provide accommodations for persons with disabilities with regards to participation at the public hearing venue or on the livestream and/or access to project information, including arranging auxiliary aids, interpretation services for the hearing impaired, services for the sight impaired and other services as needed. In addition, INDOT will provide accommodations for persons of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) requiring auxiliary aids including language interpretation services and document conversion. Should accommodation be required, please contact INDOT at (855) 463-6848 or contact Mitchell Wilcox at (317) 663-8265 or email mitchell.wilcox@mbakerintl.com at least 72 hours prior to the public hearing for additional assistance.
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 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 Project Development Public Involvement Procedures Manual approved by the Federal Highway Administration on July 7, 2021.
