BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), will conduct an open house public hearing on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to discuss improvements to an 8.3 mile-segment of the El Camino East/West Corridor (La. 6) from La. 485 to I-49 in Natchitoches Parish.

The hearing will be held at the Natchitoches Events Center, located at 750 Second Street in Natchitoches.   

The proposed project would widen La. 6 from two to four lanes between La. 485 and the four-lane section west of I-49. 

Informational materials will be distributed and graphic displays will be available for viewing.   A looping presentation will be shown describing the project, alternatives studied, and impacts from the project, including wetlands, and acquisition of right-of-way and relocation assistance. In addition, DOTD representatives will be present to answer questions.

All interested citizens are invited to attend this meeting to express their views.  Verbal comments will be recorded and written comments will be accepted. Written statements can also be mailed to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Environmental Engineer Administrator, P.O. Box 94245, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9245.  Statements postmarked within 10 days of this hearing will become part of the transcript of the hearing.

Detailed information about the project is available in the Environmental Assessment (EA).  Copies are available for public review at the following locations:  Natchitoches Public Library, 450 2nd Street, Natchitoches; Watson Memorial Library, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches; DOTD Environmental Section Office, 1201 Capitol Access Road, Room 502P, Baton Rouge; FHWA Office, 5304 Flanders Drive, Suite A, Baton Rouge.  The EA is also available for review on the DOTD Web site at www.dotd.la.gov/planning/environ.  It can be reviewed and/or purchased at the DOTD District 08 office, 3300 MacArthur Drive, in Alexandria.

Should anyone require special assistance due to a disability to participate in this public hearing, please contact DOTD by mail at the address shown above, or by telephone at 225-242-4502 at least five days prior to the date of the event.