Aug. 13 is the new target date for closing Indiana 149 in Burns Harbor to all traffic south of U.S. 20. The highway, renovated and expanded, should reopen to traffic Oct. 22.

That’s the latest word from Steve Benczik, an engineer with Bollinger, Lach & Associates Inc. contracted by the Indiana Department of Transportation to oversee the $2 million road project. Benczik gave his report to the Burns Harbor Town Council on Wednesday.

Citing five weeks of delays for various reasons since work began April 1, “I just hope we don’t get a plague of locusts, frogs and boils,” he quipped. The reconstruction should be substantially completed by Nov. 17.

Benczik said his firm is working with Burns Harbor emergency services, the U.S. Postal Service, Duneland Schools, area trucking firms and towns that share jurisdiction for Babcock Road to keep everyone posted on the road closure. The CSX railroad crossing at Old Porter Road will be widened and closed to all traffic for a time.

Although the formal detour sends vehicles to Indiana 49 and U.S. 6, Babcock Road is anticipated to be heavily traveled during the Indiana 149 closure. Clerk-treasurer Jane Jordan said it will be imperative that CSX doesn’t park trains as it does now across the Babcock crossing blocking it; doing so would force Burns Harbor police and fire services to go west to Samuelson Road in Portage to get south of the CSX tracks.

Benczik said he can’t speak for CSX but the railroad will be advised of the town’s concerns. He also was told INDOT will need to post a bond to allow contractor Rieth-Riley’s loaded trucks to transfer bulk materials along Babcock to a storage site at County Road 1050N.

Councilman Mike Perrine asked if the drainage upgrades INDOT is making along U.S. 20 will affect a culvert under the highway that drains stormwater from along Old Porter Road. “I don’t want a situation where something they do inadvertently causes us problems.” Benczik said he did not believe that would occur, but Hesham Khalil of town engineer Global Engineering and Land Surveying was asked to study INDOT’s plans more closely.

Councilman Cliff Fleming asked if there were anything the town could do to take advantage of the state’s upgraded stormwater system; Khalil said it’s too late to change INDOT’s plans.

Later in the meeting resident Richard Hummel said drainage swales and ditches need to be cleaned out in his neighborhood so Perrine asked Street Superintendent Randy Skalku to check it out.

Also Wednesday, the council voted 3-0 with members Jim McGee and Louis Bain absent to amend a previously adopted ordinance setting the speed limit on North Boo and Babcock roads at 15 mph. The speed was restored to the previous 30 mph. Chesterton and Porter also share jurisdiction for Babcock and their respective speed limits are 30 mph.

Burns Harbor officials welcomed Neil Hicks of the Future of Chesterton Foundation, a non-profit organization established in 2007 to offer Chesterton High School senior honors students meaningful work experiences through both paid internships and specially assigned projects. Students have developed strategic plans for the town of Chesterton.

Hicks said the goal is to provide incentives so the area’s best and brightest don’t relocate permanently after graduation. This year 14 students have been placed in internships and FCF hopes to place 20 to 25 students annually for six to eight weeks in $10 per hour paid positions with local business and governments.

Jordan said Burns Harbor didn’t budget for extra employees but can address funding an internship next year. Fleming urged Hicks to contact a group of Burns Harbor residents and business owners who are working on development goals. Information about FCF internships can be found at www.futureofchesterton.org

Posted 7/15/2010