LEBANON -- The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will hold a public informational meeting in Lebanon, Illinois, on September 27 to discuss a realignment of US Route 50 that would connect IL Route 4 located just southeast of Lebanon and the existing US Route 40 near Summerfield. The informational meeting will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, September 27 at the Lebanon High School located at 200 West Schuetz Street.

The realignment of US Route 50 (commonly referred to as the Lebanon Bypass) was part of a study for US Route 50 that was approved in the 1970’s. Portions of the study have been constructed already. The purpose of this meeting is to solicit input from the public if there is a need to go forward with the construction of the Lebanon Bypass portion at this time.

Handouts and display boards will be available for public review, as will information regarding engineering, land acquisition, and environmental issues. Representatives from IDOT and their consultant MACTEC Engineering and Consulting Inc. will be available to discuss the project and answer questions. The meeting will be an open house format; therefore, no formal presentation will be made.

Interested persons may comment for the record in writing (a comment form will be provided), or verbally using an available tape recorder. Comments may also be mailed or faxed to IDOT or e-mailed to Matthew.Meyer@illinois.gov on or before September 27, 2010. Telephone comments may also be made by calling Steve Coats of MACTEC Engineering and Consulting, Inc. at (314) 209-5985.

The meeting site is accessible to disabled individuals. If special accommodations are needed, arrangements should be made with the IDOT District 8, 1102 Eastport Plaza Dr., Collinsville, IL 62234-6198, attention Matt Meyer or by calling (618) 346-3160. Persons who need a sign language interpreter or other similar accommodations should notify the District Office three (3) days before the meeting so arrangements can be made. Special needs or requests can be made by FAX at (618) 346-3119; by teletypewriter (TTY) at (888) 642-3449; or by Voice Users (800) 526-0857.