What:               Public hearings on proposed construction of I-49 South
                        (Lafourche and St. Charles Parishes)

                        S.P.N. 700-92-0011

F.A.P.N. HP-9201 (501)

When:              Hearing 1 – 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005

                        Hearing 2 – 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005

Where:             Hearing 1– Emergency, Recreation, and Community Center

241 Recreation Drive

Raceland, Louisiana 70394

                        Hearing 2 – St. Charles Parish Courthouse

15045 River Road (Highway 18)

Hahnville, Louisiana 70057

Who:                All interested citizens are invited and encouraged to attend

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will conduct public hearings in support of the construction of Interstate 49 South from the interchange of La. 1 and La. 308 at U.S. 90 in Lafourche Parish east to the Davis Pond Diversion Canal in St. Charles Parish.

Representatives of DOTD and the project team will be available to provide information about the general location and design features of the roadway; the social, economic, environmental (including wetlands and floodplain), and other impacts of the project; the relocation assistance program; and any other matters of interest. The hearings will also feature a recorded presentation of the project information.

Details about the project, including the complete text of the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS), can be found at www.i49south.org/SIU1_2.

 Copies of the DEIS also are available for public review and/or copying at the following locations:

·        Raceland – Raceland Public Library

·        Luling –  St. Charles Parish Library West Regional Branch

·        Hahnville – St. Charles Parish Library Hahnville Branch

·        New Orleans – New Orleans Public Library, UNO Earl K Long Library

·        Baton Rouge – State Library of Louisiana

·        Lafayette – ULL Edith Garland Dupre Library

In addition, copies of the DEIS are available for review and/or purchase at the following locations:

·        Baton Rouge – DOTD’s Environmental Section office (1201 Capital Access Road, Room 201E), FHWA office (5304 Flanders Dr, Suite A)

·        Bridge City – DOTD’s District 02 office (1440 U.S. 90)

A court reporter will be available at the hearings to record verbal comments from interested citizens. Written statements and other exhibits in lieu of, or in addition to, verbal statements made at the public hearings must be submitted or postmarked by Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005. All comments must include the name and address of the person commenting.

Written statements may be submitted via the Web at www.i49south.org/SIU1_2/dsp_commentForm.cfm. Written statements also may be e-mailed to i49south@dmjmharris.com or mailed to the address below:

Future I-49 South

(Raceland to Davis Pond Diversion, SIU 1)

c/o DMJM Harris

2822B O’Neal Lane

Baton Rouge, LA  70816

Because of the interruption in communications resulting from Hurricane Katrina, DOTD recommends the resubmission of comments submitted prior to Oct. 1, 2005.

If, because of a disability, you require special assistance to attend this public meeting, please contact Wayne Nguyen of DOTD’s Environmental Section at least five working days prior to the hearing. He may be reached by calling (225) 242-4513 or writing to LADOTD Environmental Section, 1201 Capital Access Road, Room 504D, Baton Rouge, LA 70804.

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