The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Village of Hinsdale are seeking public comments on effects the proposed Oak Street Bridge replacement may have on Highland Park, which is owned and operated by the Village of Hinsdale. As a publicly-owned park, Highland Park is subject to protection under Section 4(f) of the US Department of Transportation Act of 1966. For the Oak Street project, IDOT intends to seek a Section 4(f) “de minimis” impact finding from the Federal Highway Administration based on a determination that the project will not adversely affect the features, attributes, or activities in Highland Park.   

The Oak Street Bridge replacement project will require the construction of a retaining wall adjacent to Highland Park in order to raise the elevation of Oak Street south of the bridge. An area approximately ten feet in width and 210 feet long, located immediately east of Oak Street and east of the existing sidewalk, will be required to be cleared of trees for construction and maintenance of the retaining wall. The retaining wall construction and maintenance area currently functions as open space, and this function would not change with the proposed Oak Street improvement. The Village of Hinsdale is seeking a Section 4(f) de minimis determination from the FHWA and this is an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the effects of the project on the Highland Park. This is the first opportunity for the public to comment on the use of Highland Park for the Oak Street project.  

Detailed documentation describing the impacts and mitigation associated with the effects of the Oak Street project on Highland Park will be provided at the following location during business hours:  

DATE:  December 11^th  – December 28^th, 2012 

TIME:   Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.              (Village offices closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)

LOCATION: Village Hall, Village of Hinsdale  

19 E. Chicago Avenue 

Hinsdale IL 60521-3489   

Electronic copies can be provided by emailing a request to oakstreetbridge@clarkdietz.com. 

Electronic copies will also be available on the following webpages:  

·  Oak Street Bridge Replacement Project webpage: http://www.oakstreetbridge.com 

·  Village of Hinsdale webpage:  http://www.villageofhinsdale.org/   

All correspondence regarding this project, including written comments, should be sent to:   

Oak Street Bridge Replacement Project 

Clark Dietz Engineers, Inc. 

Attn: Allen Staron, P.E. 

118 South Clinton Street

Suite 700

Chicago, IL 60661   

Correspondence may also be e-mailed to: oakstreetbridge@clarkdietz.com. Comments must be received by December 28^th to be considered part of the public record.