There will be a public meeting Thursday afternoon for a project to extend Maple Street to National Road in Columbus.

Dave Hayward, engineering director for the city of Columbus, said the meeting is part of the formal process by the Indiana Department of Transportation to consider the city’s proposal to extend Maple Street by Northside Middle School all the way to National Road. The city is considering the project to ease traffic flow problems around the schools in that neighborhood, including the middle school, Columbus North, Schmitt Elementary and St. Bartholomew schools.

According to the city website, the meeting will be used to describe the environmental document, land acquisition process and a description of the project. The environmental document and project plans will be available for public viewing. Time will be provided for the public to ask questions and express concerns. There will also be time for property owners to ask specific questions.

The hearing will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28th at Northside Middle School in the cafeteria.