A public hearing is being held regarding plans to improve safety in the area of State Road (S.R.) 25/U.S. 27 at the intersection of Howard Road. The project addresses operational and safety concerns in the area by converting the full median opening to a southbound directional median opening. Also proposed is the addition of a designated northbound directional median opening for U-Turns to the north of this intersection. This modification reduces traffic conflict points at the intersection, improving safety. The public hearing will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, November 9, 2017, at the Leesburg Community Building – East Room, 109 East Dixie Avenue, Leesburg, FL 34748. There will be an open house at 5 p.m. during which staff will be available to discuss the project and answer questions, followed by the formal hearing presentation at 6 p.m., after which participants may provide their verbal comments to all present. Participants may provide verbal comments directly to a court reporter before and after the formal presentation. Written comments can be submitted at the hearing, sent by mail to Dave Mixon, Florida Department of Transportation, District Five Traffic Operations, 719 S. Woodland Boulevard, M.S. #562, DeLand, FL 32720, or emailed to Dave.Mixon@dot.state.fl.us, no later than November 20, 2017. All comments written and oral will become part of the project’s public record. The draft project documents and other information will be available for public review from October 19, 2017 to November 20, 2017 at the Leesburg Public Library, 100 East Main Street, Leesburg, FL 34748, Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator at Jennifer.Smith2@dot.state.fl.us.