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highway. Land use in and adjacent to the -project area is basically commercial and residential. However, there are also some fields or open areas and some wooded land along the project. Numerous trains cross SR 23 in Granger, and this results in traffic congestion and backed -up traffic delays. There is a need to alleviate this situation, and the purpose of the proposed project is to do that. Eight alternates have been under consideration for this project. It has been difficult to decide what to do to alleviate the traffic problem, and MOT has sought public and community input by holding three public meetings at Granger and by forming a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) and meeting with them three times at Granger. Based upon engineering and environmental considerations, cost, and public and community input, the eight alternates were reduced to three build alternates (1, 4, and 8) plus the no -build alternate (7). Alternate 1 would improve SR 23 on existing alignment and would have an at -grade crossing at the railroad. Alternate 4 would move SR 23 about one block north of existing SR 23 in Granger and includes the construction of a large bridge over the railroad. Alternate 8 would move SR 23 about 1700 feet south of the existing railroad crossing and includes the construction of a bridge over the railroad. Further input and deliberation has resulted in the conclusion that, everything considered, Alternate 1 appears be the best overall alternate, and it is the alternate that MOT is pursuing as the recommended alternate. Alternate 1 begins about 2700 feet west of the existing SR 23 railroad crossing and extends east on existing alignment to about 2100 feet east of the railroad crossing. There would be two 12 - foot travel lanes each direction and a 12 -foot center, two-way, left -turn lane. Along each side of the highway would be a 2.5 -foot curb and gutter section and 6 -foot wide sidewalks. The sidewalks would extend from Adams Road east to essentially the end of the project. This alternate would also include improvements at the intersections of SR 23 with Adams Road, Princess Way, Herbert Street, Bittersweet Road/Main Street, and Bittersweet Trail. It is thought that construction would be done in phases and that traffic would be maintained during construction on the existing facility. A small amount (ca. 0.75 acre) of new permanent right-of-way would be needed at various places along Alternate 1. In addition, some temporary right-of-way would be needed for such things as drive reconstruction and working room during construction. No buildings are to be taken by Alternate 1. No threatened/endangered species are known that would be impacted. No wetlands or streams of any size would be involved in the project as proposed. O ne property is known along Alternate 1 that may be historically significant. That property is Yesterday's Restaurant which is on the south side of SR 23 in downtown Granger. No significant archaeological sites are known that will be disturbed by the project. LRS/CHT/ct enclosures Mr. Robert Tally, Division Administrator Federal Highway Administration Federal Office Building, Room 254 575 North Pennsylvania Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 Sincerely, / Lyle R. Sadler, Manager Environmental Assessment Section Division of Environment, Planning, and Engineering