The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Hebron officials cut the ribbon Wednesday to mark the official completion of a $4.5 million water main replacement project serving the town’s Snake Flats neighborhood.
“It all went pretty smoothly,” Nihab Halilovic, engineer with the Corps of Engineers’ Calumet Area Office in Griffith, said, “on time and on budget.”
“It was a really good process,” Lt. Col. David Dawes said. “It’s kind of the trifecta of what you want,” with the federal government, town government and contractor all working together.
Dawes is commander of the Corps of Engineers’ Chicago District, which provided about 75% of the project cost.
“The people of Snake Flats have been very deserving,” Town Council President John Spinks Jr. said. “Overall, it’s a wonderful project for the people of Hebron.”
The project began in April 2025. An early frost meant roads couldn’t be paved until this year.
The project involved replacing nearly 9,000 feet of aging water main with a larger diameter pipe to ensure long-term drinking water safety, stabilize system pressure and enhance fire protection with 10 fire hydrants. As part of the project, 27 gate valves were installed and a section of trail was built, Spinks said.
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Unlike many ribbon-cutting ceremonies, the completed project wasn’t part of the background for the obligatory photos. The infrastructure is buried underground, already doing its work for the citizens.
“We talk about infrastructure projects in terms of engineering speak, as-builts, permits, linear feet of pipe placed and costs,” Dawes said. “But at its core, infrastructure is about people. It’s about public health and safety, peace of mind and building a foundation that allows a community to grow and thrive for generations to come.”
Dawes credited U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, for his work in helping communities apply for grants to fund projects like this one.
“Sewer projects are not sexy. They don’t sizzle,” Mrvan said, “but when you invest in infrastructure, you’re investing in the future of the community.”
They’re important for communities’ economic development and quality of life. They enhance clean water, fire protection and smart growth, he said.
“I look at Northwest Indiana as there are no small towns; there’s just a lot of small communities that come together as the region,” Mrvan said.
Clerk-Treasurer Jamie Uzelac gave credit to Mrvan’s staff for identifying the funding opportunity and assisting with the grant application.
The town had been planning this for years, she said. Costs skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, so the town had to use a bond issue to help pay the town’s share.
Uzelac has lived in Snake Flats since 1977. The old lines were getting weak, she said, so she’s glad to have new storm sewers in place as well as the resurfaced roads.
Park Board President Linda Brebner has lived in Snake Flats about 35 years, she said. “We had a lot of problems with the very old system under there. We’ve been waiting a long time for this to be done,” she said.
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.