A public hearing is being held regarding safety improvements along State Road (SR) 44/West Dixie Avenue between SR 25/US 27/14th Street and SR 500/US 441 in Lake County. The hearing is being conducted to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, and social and economic, and environmental effects of the proposed improvement. The project includes resurfacing of the roadway and the addition of a median separating opposing traffic directions. This median will act as a traffic calming device, will reduce the number of angle crashes on the corridor, and create a refuge for pedestrians crossing the roadway. The hearing will be held on Thursday, August 4, 2016, at the Leesburg Community Building – East Room, 109 East Dixie Avenue, Leesburg, FL 34748, between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The hearing will begin as an open house at 5:00 p.m. with a formal presentation at 6:00 p.m. Staff members will be available to discuss the project and answer questions before and after the presentation. 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 Naziru Isaac, P.E., Florida Department of Transportation, District Five Roadway Design, 719 South Woodland Boulevard, M.S. #552, DeLand, FL 32720, or sent by email to Naziru.Isaac@dot.state.fl.us no later than August 15, 2016. 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 until August 15, 2016 at the Leesburg Public Library, 100 East Main Street, Leesburg, FL 34748 Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and 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 by phone at 386-943-5367, or via email at Jennifer.Smith2@dot.state.fl.us.