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INDOT granted conditional access to clear clogged drain at State Road 39 toll road crossing
Summary
INDOT representatives told the LaPorte County Drainage Board a corrugated pipe installed in the 1950s at a toll-road crossing on State Road 39 is clogged; the board approved access for cleaning contingent on county surveyor review and staff receipt of plans.
The LaPorte County Drainage Board voted June 9 to allow the Indiana Department of Transportation to access a regulated drain at the State Road 39 toll-road crossing to clean a failing corrugated metal pipe, contingent on review by the county surveyor.
Steve Travis, an INDOT representative, told the board the drain — installed in the 1950s when the toll road was built — has a failed or clogged pipe and that portions of the pipe already had been replaced. "We have a drain at the toll road crossing, on State Road 39… the pipe has failed or is clogged," Travis said, explaining that customer complaints about flooding on the south side of the toll road prompted the request.
Travis and his colleagues said they would present plans to the board and coordinate with the county surveyor and board staff before beginning work. The board requested the county surveyor (Tony) confirm the plans on site before granting final permission. A motion to approve INDOT to perform the work with the condition that Tony review and that the board receive final plans was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Why it matters: The clogged drain is tied to recurring flooding complaints in the area; INDOT’s access and cleaning work could restore designed drainage capacity along the toll-road corridor and relieve downstream flooding if coordinated to protect regulated drain lines and easements.
Next steps: INDOT will provide detailed plans and coordinate with the county surveyor for a site review; the board’s approval was conditional on that review.
