Huntingburg overpass concerns some local businesses

As plans move forward to alleviate one of three certainties in Huntingburg — death, taxes and being stopped by a train, a few business owners along the affected area have some concerns about the railroad overpass.

A public meeting was held Thursday to give residents a chance to see preliminary plans for the 225-foot railroad overpass that will run be located on Styline Drive. The overpass will be part of about .83 miles of improved roadway that will then feed into 14th Street before meeting U.S. 231.

Plans for the overpass were on display at the meeting held at the Huntingburg Event Center that about 50 residents attended.

Alan Mize, project manager with DLZ, the Indianapolis firm heading up the project, told those attending that the plans were not finalized and that input from the public could be incorporated into the project.

He said the estimated costs for the project are $8.8 million. It will be funded through an 80/20 split: 80 percent federal funds and 20 percent local match from Dubois County and the city of Huntingburg. The construction on the overpass is expected to begin in the spring of 2017 but it is dependent on how soon about 8 acres of land needed for the overpass can be acquired.

Only three citizens came to the podium to speak during the hearing. Two business owners in the industrial park voiced concerns about getting into and out of their business sites once the improvements are made to Styline Drive.

Paul Mundy, president of Hoosier Bandag, said he doesn’t have an issue with the overpass itself but is concerned with the nature of their business and the transporting of heavy duty truck tires, which requires large trucks in and out of the industrial park.

He said that access to Styline Drive has helped his business because of the direct access to State Road 64 and that the plans as presented Thursday will require additional travel and turns for trucks to access Styline. “If the project isn’t going to help us, at least don’t hurt us with it,” he said.

Another business owner asked who would be required to maintain the new road once it was complete. Mize said it is a city street and would require Huntingburg Street Department to maintain it going forward.

Next, Kevin Heckel of Unimin Corporation echoed Mundy’s sentiments on access to the park. He explained that his business brings in about 3,000 trucks each year on Styline Drive. “Keeping Styline Drive (access) is real important for us.”

According to the business owners, they are concerned about changing the routes the truck will take as it will go through a more residential area.

According to Mayor Denny Spinner, the city and DLZ have taken their concerns under advisement and are working on some ways to mitigate the impact.

The comments period for the project is open until October 30th and interested persons can mail, email or fax correspondence before the deadline.

Mail:

Alan Mize
DLZ Indiana, LLC
157 E. Maryland Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Fax: 317-633-4199
Email: amize@dlz.com