A public hearing for the Staples North/South Corridor and Railroad overpass project is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, in Staples, at the Freshwater Education District building, 1100 5th Street NE, from 5-7 p.m.

The meeting format is an open house, so participants are welcome to come and go as they please throughout the meeting. Representatives from Todd County and their consultant team will present answers to questions during the public hearing.

An Environmental Assessment (EA) worksheet will be available for the proposed construction of a two-lane north/south roadway and trail with a new bridge over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad and Highway 10 in the city of Staples.

Comments on the EA are being requested from the general public, local, state and federal agencies. The comment period extends through May 11, 2009. All comments should be directed to: Loren Fellbaum, Todd County Public Works Director, 44 Riverside Drive, Long Prairie, MN 56347. Comments received will be used by Todd County and the Federal Highway Administra- tion in determining future actions on the project.

The proposed project includes the construction of a two-lane north/south roadway from the Todd/Wadena County Line on the north to Todd County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 21.

The project includes a new bridge over the BNSF Railroad and Highway 10, construction of left and right turn lanes/bypass lanes at key intersections and extensions to the local street network at Summit Avenue, Park Avenue, Third Avenue NE and the Frontage Road to U.S. Highway 10.

The proposed improvement includes a 10 foot bituminous pedestrian/bicycle trail adjacent to the roadway.

Construction will be dependent upon future funding availability.

The EA document is available for public review at Todd County Public Works Department, 44 Riverside Drive, Long Prairie; Staples City Hall, 611 Iowa Avenue NE, Staples and Staples Public Library, 611 Iowa Avenue NE, Staples.

The EA can be made available to individuals who are hearing or speech impaired by calling the Minnesota Relay Service at 800-627-3529 or 651-296-9930 TTY.

Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the public hearing, please contact the Todd County Public Works Director or through the Minnesota Relay Service at the telephone numbers listed above, as soon as possible.