With $2.9 million less coming to northwest Indiana than originally thought, local projects trying to receive federal stimulus highway money were trimmed across-the-board by 14.1 percent.

Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission staff said Thursday it now appears $17,964,332 will be available to participating counties and communities although some projects yet could be deemed ineligible during upcoming state and federal reviews.

Still alive is $345,891 sought by Chesterton to resurface Wabash Avenue from Calumet Road to Waverly Road, Porter Avenue from 15th Street to 23rd Street, and 11th Street from County Road 1100N to Porter Avenue.

The Town of Porter's projects now total $582,499. They would fund the milling and paving of Oak Hill Road, Waverly Road and Beam Street as well as general road signage replacement including stop, information, regulatory signs and gateway signs.

Beverly Shores' request for milling and resurfacing of both Beverly Drive from Eaton to Mt. Baldy, and Broadway from Beverly Drive to Lakefront Drive stands at $299,411.

Porter County is seeking $446,712 to mill and pave Meridian Road from U.S. 6 to County Road 1050N; mill and overlay County Road 700N from between Swanson and Willowcreek roads; and to stripe roads throughout the county.

The city of Valparaiso's request has been trimmed to $1,559,775 and Portage's to $777,525.

Portage Mayor Olga Velazquez said with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus package being so new, the rules kept changing. "Maybe we would have submitted different projects. The process isn't clear but it is what it is."

NIRPC transportation planner Belinda Petroskey said when it was learned $2,945,253 or 14.1 percent had to be trimmed from the original list of submitted projects, "There were several ways we looked at but ultimately staff made the decision to do the reductions equally."

NIRPC's Full Commission unanimously accepted that recommendation Thursday and its members were urged to contact the Indiana Department of Transportation so the scope and cost of their submitted projects can be reviewed; a goal of ARRA stimulus money is to get shovel-ready projects under construction soon.

NIRPC executive director John Swanson said, "INDOT has a ticking clock and NIRPC has a ticking clock. It's a use-it-or-lose-it situation and we don't intend to lose money for our region."

When the NIRPC solicitation for ARRA highway stimulus projects went out in December, Burns Harbor and New Chicago did not submit any. Approved was NIRPC staff soliciting new projects should additional funds above the $17.9 million be allocated to the region.

Forum's role questioned

It was noted several times ARRA still is evolving. Beverly Shores Town Council member Geof Benson said there are 200 different entry points into the program.

Today is the deadline for NIRPC counties and communities to express interest in sharing the $60,000 cost to hire a Washington, DC consultant to find additional ARRA dollars and bring them to participating local government units here.

The contract would be entered into by the Northwest Indiana Forum Inc. The city of Highland will handle money related to the new partnerships.

Porter County Commissioner Bob Harper commended the effort but asked why NIRPC can't do it in-house. Harper said the Forum's role needs to be more clearly defined, especially since it's not constrained by public records and other laws as government units are.

Swanson said NIRPC has no capacity to pay the $60,000 and the ARRA program is too cumbersome to monitor on a constant basis.

Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas said the Forum won't play a significant role, and that future interlocal cooperation agreements between the counties/communities particpating will clarify outstanding issues yet to be resolved.

Better ER response eyed

Also Thursday, Brian O'Neill of the Strategic Development Group Inc. updated NIRPC members on the status of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security's organization of 10 districts statewide.

The goal, whether a swine flu epidemic or a tornado, is to prepare for and respond to emergencies using standardized equipment and knowing where necessary material and human assets are within each county, district and across the state.

"It's neighbor helping neighbor," said O'Neill. "It's not just the willingness to help but the readiness to help."

District 1 is comprised of Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton and Porter counties. O'Neill said each district is required to have an oversight committee of elected officials, and a district planning council of emergency management representatives from each county.

Various subcommittees including health, fire training, hazardous materials, law enforcement, and communications will make recommendations to the standing committee and council.

According to O'Neill, "This is one of our highly urbanized areas. Being prepared here is especially important. You're really moving along very well." That fact, he added, means the local district can qualify to receive funding.

Posted 5/1/2009