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player ready...The high number of crashes on Ind. 49 at the Porter County Road 950 N/Calumet Avenue crossover could be alleviated through an intersection improvement proposed by the Indiana Department of Transportation.
The intersection in question is located between the Indiana Toll Road entrance and U.S. 6 in Liberty Township.
INDOT has scheduled the construction for 2027.
Porter County Road 950 N/Calumet Avenue intersects at an angle crossing Ind. 49.
“The need is based on the high crash rate, specifically the occurrence of right-angle crashes which often result in injury, and the poor traffic conditions that the intersection is currently or forecasted to experience without changes,” an INDOT statement says.
The proposal is called a Modified Reduced Conflict Intersection with a Median U-Turn. There are two similar proposals, said INDOT spokeswoman Cassandra Bajek.
The project would involve altering the current median crossover, with southbound Ind. 49 maintaining access to Calumet Avenue but County Road 950 N not having access to cross over or turn left onto Ind. 49. South of the present crossover, a median U-turn would be created so that county road traffic could turn northbound and continue on Ind. 49 or connect with Calumet Avenue on the east side.
There would be an added lane turning north from Calumet Avenue on the east side to allow for motorists to merge onto the northbound Ind. 49 traffic more easily.
The second design option under consideration would have the left turn access from Ind. 49 northbound to CR 950 N still maintained.
The difference is whether traffic from Ind. 49 northbound will have a turning lane to turn left onto CR 950 N. In the first option, that traffic would need to start seeking alternate routes via different intersections on Ind. 49. Option 2 maintains that turning movement and access, Bajek said.
Chesterton Councilman James Ton, R-1st, who is the town’s representative on the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, is well aware of the longstanding need for the crossover intersection to be addressed.
“What is proposed makes a lot of sense,” Ton said.
Ton said he would also like INDOT to eventually address the Ind. 49 median crossover for the intersection with County Road 100 W and Voyage Boulevard in Chesterton, north of the Toll Road.
INDOT plans to have a public hearing on the project at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Chesterton Town Hall. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
The hearing will provide an opportunity for the public to interact with the project team and review the features of the proposed intersection improvement project.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.