The last, longest and largest part of the 61st Avenue reconstruction kicked off Monday in Hobart with town officials praising each other for the collaboration involved in making it come to fruition.
Hobart Mayor Brian Snedecor thanked the Lake County Highway Department, NIRPC, St. Mary Medical Center and its parent, Community Healthcare of Munster, and U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky’s office for coming together to get the project done. Without that level of partnership, it couldn’t have happened.
“The city made the commitment, and Community Healthcare is making the commitment to us,” he said. “And I really want to say ‘Thank you’ to the residents, who’re willing to buy in.”
Extending from Arizona Street east to Indiana 51, the new stretch will continue the roadway’s expansion, include a center turn lane, wider bridge and sidewalks and lighting. The crown jewel, however, will be a roundabout at the Wisconsin Street intersection, something about which Redevelopment Commission President Carla Houck admitted she was initially nervous.
“The first time I went through one of the roundabouts in Valparaiso, of course I saw an accident,” Houck said to laughter. “But here’s what I noticed: No one was injured, and there was very little damage to the cars.
“I will tell you, it gets better.”
Houck also said she wouldn’t be surprised that with as much construction that’s been going on at 61st, residents will continue to take pride in their property and will likely see an increase in value. Residents Tom and Dottie Lackey are counting on that.
“When they first presented the project, I was against it, Lackey said. “But they recently finished the lift station and relocating utilities, and I think it will increase our property values. We’re accepting it now because it’s part of progress.”
Ron Anderson, another resident along the stretch, isn’t looking forward to two years of construction, but the end will justify the means, he said.
“There will be difficulty getting in and out, and there will be restricted lanes and a lot of dirt. They’re also ripping out part of my driveway, and we’re concerned about drainage into the ditch,” Anderson said. “There are issues, but I’m sure we’ll be happy when it’s done.”
Construction will begin this year, with the bulk of the work to be done next year.
This phase will cost in the $10 million range, 80 percent of which will come from federal funds and 20 percent from local funds.
The first phase went from Marcella to Colorado streets. The second phase extended from Colorado through the Arizona Street intersection.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.