Part 5 Indian Hill – Extension to Re-Open

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rr cross bucks

Updated Feb 20, 2025

BC Indian Hill Road Grant Application w-certificate 9-23-2024

Jan 10, 2025. Indian Hill not selected for the grant. Reference:  FY23-24 Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program Selections

Sep 16, 2024.  INDOT 12-Month Extension_DOT-RR-2494_Indian Hill.Brown County_Signed_9-16-2024

The 12-Month Extension to Cause No DOT-RR-2494 grants an extension of time until September 29, 2025, to commence work on the train-activated warning devices as described in the original Order dated September 29, 2023.

    • Commissioner Meeting Notes:  The county is also applying for a federal grant to help with the costs of re-opening.
    • AUDIO of the Meeting 1:01:57 – Discussion Mike Moga and Kevin Allen

Aug 21, 2024, Good news!  Commissioners agreed to an extension. No action has been taken by the county since INDOT agreed on Sept 29, 2023, to re-open the crossing.  20240820 Extension Request Letter – Indian Hill. The first step needed is an engineering plan to address the changes requested by INDOT. This is followed by finding funding sources. A variety of funding options are available.  

This post at Brown County Matters.  Also shared at Brown County Refreshed. (Updated version of the timeline/analysis – Mar 13, 2024.)

July 2024. New Legislation requiring a public hearing. Changes motivated by the consequences of Brown County “not”  holding a public hearing. 

    • [New – effective 1 July 2024] IC 8-6-7.7-3.2 (e) :
    • (e) A unit and a railroad may agree to close a crossing within the jurisdiction of the unit. The unit must conduct a public hearing before agreeing to the closure of the crossing. Notice of the public hearing must be provided under section 3.5 of this chapter.

As added by P.L.81-1996, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.198-2016, SEC.71; P.L.49-2024, SEC.3.

[New – effective 1 July 2024] IC 8-6-7.7-3.5:

    • IC 8-6-7.7-3.5 Notice of public hearing regarding a proposed public railroad crossing closure
    • Sec. 3.5. The unit (as defined in IC 36-1-2-23) under whose jurisdiction a public railroad crossing lies must provide notice of the public hearing regarding the proposed closure as follows:
      • (1) By publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the unit, published not less than thirty (30) days prior to the public hearing.
      • (2) By certified mail to those property owners who would be considered interested parties under the unit’s rules for providing notice under IC 36-7-4, postmarked not less than thirty (30) days prior to the public hearing.

The closures also cut off access to the Tecumseh Trail for hikers and runners:

  TIMELINE – KEY EVENTS

CURRENT EVENTS

Background

Sep 29, “2023.” INDOT accepted the county’s petition to re-open with certain conditions.  INDOT needs to review and approve the county’s engineering plan for the crossing.  An exception (long shot) could be that the county’s decision to close the crossing is vacated because of the impropriety of the process to close. The assumption is that the crossing could be re-opened without any major changes.

Jan 17, 2024. Commissioner Meeting. Indian Hill Re-Opening.  Jerry Pittman – Keywords: “still alive, major obstacles, costs and source of funding unknown, logistical considerations in meeting state specs, almost impossible, may have to buy land, may impact Bean Blossom Creek which is controlled by DNR, not sure where this will end up at this time, whatever happens, commissioners made a good effort, more to follow. ”

Feb 22, 2024. I submitted a formal request to INDOT – Rail Program Office for information on the status of the project.  Brown County has not submitted a plan for review.

    • Per INDOT response, Item “I” states “The work on the train-activated warning devices will commence within twelve (12) months of the date of this Order unless an extension of time is requested by the Petitioner and approved by the INDOT Rail Programs Office.”
    • Item “J” states “The road construction can commence as soon as the road plans are approved by INDOT.”

Feb 27, 2024.  The county has no documented agreement with an engineering firm to develop a plan. There have been no invoices submitted for any work done. (Note: Any Pro Bono work would need to be disclosed.)

Feb 29, 2024. Commissioner meeting.

    • At today’s commissioner meeting, Mike Magnor requested and received approval for an “emergency” bridge repair.  This included approval for a 20K plan and specs that are needed to bid the work. Milke (Highway Department) has the money to fund the 20K.
    • Why hasn’t the county or the highway department funded a road plan for Indian Hill?

Mar 20, 2024. Joint Meeting (working session) Commissioners and Council – Indian Hill.

    • Indian Hill Road and Railroad Crossing.   Commissioner Pittman confirmed that he had no intention of re-opening the crossing and road.  He stated that it would be too expensive. His estimates ranged widely regarding the cost of a plan and the work required.  No county money has been spent on a plan or an engineering estimate. Without this information, you cannot identify the cost. Without the cost, you cannot start identifying the funds needed and possible funding sources.  

Letters of Support included in the successful petition to INDOT to re-open. Link to the Petition and supporting documentation.

Indian Hill Letters of Support

May 7, 2024 Primary Election. 

May 14, 2023. I contacted INDOT. There has been no change. The county has not initiated actions to re-open the crossing.  

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