The Indiana Department of Transportation wants to meet with Burns Harbor officials regarding possible installation of a traffic signal at Indiana 149 and Tech Drive south of U.S. 20. The matter will be discussed at tonight’s Town Council meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at the town hall, 1240 N. Boo Rd.

The town previously sent INDOT a letter requesting the signal, which is at the entrance to Tech Business Center where several businesses, including C.R. England’s midwest regional terminal, depend on semi-trucks for transport. The intersection also serves Trans-United specialty trucking on the east side of Indiana 149.

Clerk-treasurer Jane Jordan said INDOT has indicated its representatives are considering the signal request and want to meet with town officials. Also on tonight’s agenda is discussion regarding an additional appropriation from the Rainy Day Fund to pay for the $25,475 contractor’s bid, accepted Sept. 9, for the town to demolish the long-abandoned Standard Plaza former truck stop on U.S. 20 east of Indiana 149.

Among other items, the council plans to determine which appointments to town boards and commissions will be expiring at year’s end; the intent is that an application form be used by candidates to give the Town Council more information prior to board members being named.

Also Wednesday, the Burns Harbor Redevelopment Commission will meet at 6 p.m. at the town hall and discuss a number of grants and funding opportunities, namely, to pay for bike racks; for marketing/branding to encourage development of a downtown; for construction of the town’s leg of the Marquette Greenway hike/bike trail; and for a grant writer to secure additional grants. The status of proposed environmental testing at the Standard Plaza will be discussed, as will a workshop for Burns Harbor businesses.

Posted 10/14/2009