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Residents press county on road damage, noise and information around Crossvine/Duff solar projects
Summary
Residents raised questions about road damage, detours, pile‑driving noise and the adequacy of information from solar developers; highway staff said AES has installed temporary speed signs, will improve turn radii, and must coordinate road fixes, and residents asked the county to consider ordinance changes and moratorium extensions.
Several residents told the Dubois County Board of Commissioners on June 15 they remain worried about the impacts of nearby solar projects and related construction traffic.
Barb Hopf, a Duff area resident, said she had asked questions about the proposed Duff Solar Park Phase II and “felt [the EDP representative] was not forthcoming,” alleging misleading behavior and trespass on landowners' property and asking whether the county could treat solar as a public utility or increase the current 250‑foot separation requirement in the county solar ordinance. She requested extending the moratorium on solar development.
Highway Superintendent Donnie Lueken and acting Highway Engineer Levi Leffert reported operational steps being taken on the Crossvine solar project: AES installed temporary 35‑mph work‑zone signs for a temporary speed reduction, plans to improve turn radii at 800 S (at SR 161) and Holland Road NE to accommodate oversized trucks, and will add advance signage to keep construction traffic off CR 585 W. County staff said AES was notified about roadway damage at the north end of Holland Road NE and will coordinate fixes; the contractor is required to restore bonded roads to their existing condition or better at the end of construction, though some pavement distress may not be fixed until project completion.
Public commenters urged short‑term mitigations. Dave Ring and Duane Keck asked the county to place rock or additional signage on 400 W (a detour for CR 500 W) where muddy conditions cause vehicles to get stuck. Amanda Harris sought confirmation that a 500 W closure would last only two weeks and asked whether AES could use the road during that closure; commissioners confirmed the approved closure was for two weeks.
Other public concerns included early‑morning pile‑driving noise, questions about a plume study and topsoil removal, and whether water supplies are adequate at battery energy storage sites should a fire occur. Commissioner Blessinger directed members of the public with detailed legal or safety questions to consult attorneys and noted the county is not in a position to offer legal advice.
No county policy changes were enacted at the meeting; commissioners and staff said they are tracking construction impacts and coordinating with contractors and utilities.
