Scenic byway plans get underway

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Officials and community members took the first steps Thursday to drafting management plans for a scenic byway project in West Lafayette.

More than 50 people were on hand to get information about the River Road project and give feedback.

In 2008, the Indiana Department of Public Transportation (INDOT) designated River Road as a state scenic byway.    
    
Thursday's meeting was the first of three public meetings to put together a management plan. Wabash River Enhancement Corporation Executive Director Stanton Lambert said the goal is to maintain the scenic aspects of the road and to prevent the area from overdevelopment as part of the Wabash River Enhancement Project.

"I'm really excited at the turnout here and the thoughts and the comments," Lambert said. "It's great to see that the residents really care about this corridor. For management plan to be successful, it needs to be a locally driven and developed management plan."

As reported by News 18 in October 2011, INDOT gave a $50,000 grant for the project.

Lambert said resident feedback will help formulate plans that will be presented to INDOT later this summer. The next public meeting is scheduled for April.