Roads were a topic of discussion Wednesday for both the Burns Harbor Redevelopment Commission and the Town Council.

Town engineer Hesham Khalil told the commission that a design change is being considered for the planned Indiana 149/U.S. 20 intersection reconstruction; the change would add a median or by signage eliminate left turns at Old Porter Road and Indiana 149.

The Indiana Department of Transportation has had the intersection slated for construction the past three years; some utilities have been moved.

Khalil said although Old Porter has become a thoroughfare between Porter and Portage, it’s really a frontage road for U.S. 20.

The stacking distance on Indiana 149 from U.S. 20 for traffic to halt while someone waits to make a left turn eastbound onto Old Porter is short, Khalil added, and the proximity of railroad tracks immediately south of Old Porter complicates the situation.

“Which one outweighs the other --- safety or go around the block a couple times? It’s not a perfect solution,” he told the commission.

Khalil said there’s a high number of accidents at Old Porter and Indiana 149 and the intersection reconstruction would include raising Old Porter’s road grade, which is especially low on the west side, however, traffic engineers feel additional protections are needed.

The whole plan could be academic, said Khalil, because INDOT has the reconstruction out for bid a third time this January. Two previous biddings were over budget. If January’s bid is acceptable, work could begin in about three months. But if bids are again too high, the intersection upgrade could be scaled back or even abandoned, said Khalil.

Later Wednesday at the Town Council meeting INDOT’s plan next year to install a stop light at Indiana 149 and Tech Drive south of Old Porter Road was discussed.

Tech Drive is a private road for the Tech Business Center light industrial park where most tenants are served by semi-trucks. Councilman Cliff Fleming said there’s some indication Tech’s property owners association that owns/maintains the road is leaning toward dedicating it to the town.

Building Commissioner Bill Arney said Tech Drive, which until recently was in disrepair but repaired by the POA, would need to be torn out, rebuilt to industrial-grade road standards and drainage installed before the town accepts it.

Councilman Mike Perrine asked if the town could establish a non-reverting fund into which Tech property owners would pay for future town maintenance of the road if accepted.

Town attorney Bob Welsh said such an arrangement should be in place before any acceptance occurs. “Quite frankly, if they want you to take that (road) over, that should be perfectly agreeable to them.”

The obligations of both parties will be explored. Perrine said if satisfactory agreement can be reached, he doesn’t have a problem accepting the road.

As Redevelopment Commission president, Fleming said the town is fostering a close working relationship with INDOT. Town officials, town business owners and residents are meeting with INDOT representatives about landscaping the east entrance to Burns Harbor at U.S. 20.

Fleming said up until now INDOT has looked at Burns Harbor as using a rural design for its state highways. “We now made it clear that’s not our future,” said Fleming.

The town is seeking grants to build sidewalks and the new zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan foster neo-traditional urban design, not rural.

A key site eyed for redevelopment is the long-abandoned Standard Plaza truck stop north of U.S. 20 east of Indiana 149. It was reported an additional appropriation was approved to pay for the town’s demolition of the building. If the low bidder holds to its $25,500 price, which technically has expired, the council voted that a contract be drawn up and executed.

Fleming said he wants the demolition completed by year’s end.

Vote on the contract was 4-0 with Councilman Louis Bain absent.

Posted 11/12/2009