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1)
Q. Why do I see surveyors in my yard?
Part of the preliminary engineering
and environmental study process that we undertake
includes obtaining data on all features within approximately
40' of the roadway right-of-way corridor of the route
under study. This includes a detailed corridor survey
which allows us to design and assess impacts of any
proposed roadway improvements. When surveyors enter
onto private property to perform this survey by authority
of the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT),
they make every effort to provide advanced notification
of their actions. When their attempts are unsuccessful,
they proceed with their survey work as expeditiously
as possible and are available to provide information
on their activities if approached. Once this survey
data is acquired, it is used for the purposes of the
engineering design of the roadway improvement project.
2)
Q. I see trees with tags on my property. What does
this mean?
As part of the survey task described
above in question #1, identification of all trees
within the project limits is also required along the
roadway corridor. This is done because depending on
the results of a project traffic study, proposed improvements
along the corridor may be necessary and we need to
be able to assess all of the potential impacts of
those proposed improvements to determine a preferred
alternative. These tags are placed by project surveyors
for identification and then inspected by an environmental
specialist to determine both the condition and quality
of each tree marked along the corridor. It is the
intent of our survey team to locate all trees with
a diameter six inches (6") and larger as well
as any landscaped trees within our study area. This
will allow us to assess the true impacts of various
roadway improvement proposals and compare them with
each other. This also aids us in developing a comprehensive
Tree Preservation Plan for the project. This plan
seeks to ensure the preservation of high quality trees
and every effort is made during engineering design
to avoid impacts. It is the priority of the LCDOT
to preserve and protect our natural resources whenever
and wherever we are able.
3) Q. What
happens if Right-of-Way needs to be acquired from
my property?
If a situation arises where there is
a need to acquire additional Right-of-Way to complete
a project, LCDOT will pay fair market value for the
amount of property it would need to acquire. At this
time we are investigating alternatives in order to
select the preferred option for the roadway improvement.
As this process moves forward into final design, and
if Right-of-Way acquisitions are determined to be
necessary, someone from the LCDOT will contact you
directly to discuss this.
If you
have additional questions, please contact Chuck Gleason
of the LCDOT at (847) 377-7400.
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