INDOT LPA Newsletter - May 2020

05/04/2020

INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

INDOT Cultural Resources Office-Historic Bridge Marketing Updates

Please see below for new requirements for historic bridge marketing signs, effective immediately. For any signs already in place, no changes are required. For all signs yet to be installed, the following language must be included on the signs:

This is a historic bridge that may be available for reuse. The status of the bridge is currently "pending," meaning its future is undetermined as the Section 106 review process is on-going. Depending on the outcome of Section 106 consultation, interested parties may be able to acquire the bridge. For more information, please visit https://www.in.gov/indot/2532.htm or contact: [insert contact name, phone number, and/or email address].

This new requirement is a result of recent conversations between FHWA, SHPO, and INDOT staff to address concerns expressed by consulting parties that some elements of the marketing procedures appear to predetermine bridge replacement. Incorporation of this language into the marketing signs provides a consistent message across all forms of historic bridge marketing. As part of this update, the historic bridge marketing legal notice template and the bridge marketing website data form have been revised and are linked below. Please use these revised documents effective immediately.

Those involved in the project development process for a historic bridge are reminded that the allowance of marketing activities to commence does not constitute approval of a bypass or replacement alternative. A preferred alternative is not developed until the preparation of the Historic Bridges Alternatives Analysis (HBAA), and final approval of the HBAA and preferred alternative does not occur until FHWA approval of the environmental document.

The relevant chapters of the Cultural Resources Manual and other historic bridge guidance documents have been updated to reflect the new signage requirement and will be available on INDOT’s website soon. Please contact Historic Bridge Specialist Mary Kennedy at 317-232-5215 or mkennedy@indot.in.gov with any questions.

Blank_Bridge_Marketing_Website_Data_FormApril2020.docx

Historic_Bridge_Marketing_Legal_Notice_TemplateApril2020.docx

We always want to hear your feedback. Please send us your thoughts on these bulletins and anything related to the LPA Program to: LPAQuestions@indot.in.gov.