A pedestrian safety project involving the Calumet Road railroad crossing in Chesterton’s downtown will now proceed after the town officials determined a way forward.
Chesterton’s Redevelopment Commission — which consisted of the three town council members in attendance Monday — approved implementing the concept.
The Norfolk Southern Railroad had rejected the town’s request that pedestrians be permitted on their land by the track.
Assistant Town Engineer Matt Gavelek said that there is still enough room on the west side of Calumet Road for an improved pedestrian walkway across the tracks.
The improved pedestrian crossing would take a portion of the southbound lane on Calumet Road.
But the lane is wide enough that it should be able to accommodate pedestrians and not infringe too much on traffic, Gavelek said.
There would be concrete barriers constructed on both sides of the rail crossing, along with striping to instruct pedestrians.
Gavelek said he anticipates that the project will cost between $200,000 and $350,000.
When the project will be done depends on the railroad’s timing for granting the permit, Gavelek said.
Traditionally, the permitting process involving railroads can be a lengthy process.
More Top Picks Best Sensory Bed Sheets For Kids
Chesterton wants to improve pedestrian safety because the town has developed a parking lot at Grant Avenue close to the north side of the tracks, which accommodates visitors to the European Market on Saturdays from May through the end of October.
A number of the town’s department heads didn’t attend Monday’s Town Council meeting, following the Redevelopment Commission, because they were out on the streets dealing with the fresh aftermath of a storm that downed branches and power lines. Some streets were blocked by downed trees.
At one point during the meeting, the lights briefly flickered off because the Town Hall lost power before a backup generator kicked on.
Council approved a pre-annexation agreement involving three properties and 5.3 acres on the north side of Indian Boundary Road, across from the Sand Creek Drive North intersection.
Attorney Gregory Babcock said there are two houses on the property and a vacant lot of 3.2 acres involved. The land is contiguous to the town of Chesterton.
The owner, ESA Resources LLC, intends to build a duplex on the vacant property once it is annexed into the town, Babcock said.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.