Do your research very carefully. Find an endangered species in your area and report sighting one in the woods behind your house. This will tie up any expansion project well beyond your lifetime.
The bank should go through the expense of figuring out how much your property-value has changed as a result of the highway expansion.
They might also offer help to retain as much value as possible—maybe put you and your affected neighbors into a mutual endeavor.
Look for a real estate appraiser. Depending how long ago the condemnation occurred, there may be data where they can see a decrease in property values.
I haven’t gone through this myself though. The above would technically be a double appraisal. If they even do such a thing, yes, it’d probably cost you twice as much.
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that in a takings case, you can go directly to federal court; and no longer have to go through an exhaustive and expensive state administrative or legal case to get “just compensation”. States will generally do everything they can to screw over land owners they want to steal property from. The case is a big win for property rights.
You can find it here:
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/18pdf/17-647_m648.pdf
PA? they’ll do what they can to screw you over. my dad’s side of the family had plenty of land taken for highway projects including their house. The most recent offense was cutting through a piece of property, paying him a pittance based on the area taken (never mind it went through the property) Then took almost half of what he received back in taxes.
You must live near me. I too, live right off of Rte. 322 in Pa. and am dealing with all the noise due to highway expansion. Contact me privately.
If they are already starting, you missed your chance.
Go to the town hall/ DPW and find out what the hearing plan is.
Chances are your property already has an easement written. I know that while I pay taxes on the first eight feet of my property that abuts the road, they have a right of way to pretty much do what they want.
I don’t know if in these situations it helps, or not, for groups of the effected homeowners to operate collectively - hiring a law firm to represent the group. I’m curious if that approach helps the individuals from being “picked off” with lower offers than they might bargaining as a group.