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A
$500,000 road project to realign the intersection of Lake Road and Ind. 64
on the City's far eastside could begin
in 2005; the current Y-shaped
configuration will be replaced with a more conventional intersection.
The
current Y-configuration
forces motorists,
eastbound on the state highway and turning left onto Lake Road, to
veer across west bound lane without clear sight of on coming traffic
through a curve and down a hill. The project is designed to make the
intersection safer.
The
federal government will be funding 80% of the project, with the
state picking up the other 20%. Unlike the South Main Street
project, no local funds will be needed.
The (bid) letting will be
in May-2006, the project could start as soon as summer
of 2006, according to the latest from
INDOT.
The
half-million-dollar price tag includes a small amount of property
purchase for right-of-way. The
project is currently in the land acquisition phase for the required
right-of way, there are 11 parcels that will need to be purchased.
A
new intersection will be constructed just east of the current
alignment. It will feature a stop for Lake Road traffic, with
eastbound highway traffic enjoying a "blister," or passing lane,
on the shoulder.
The
change is needed primarily because the "skew angle of 40 degrees at
the existing inter-section is substandard and impeding sight distances.
The
stretch of Lake Road west of the new intersection will remain open only to
local traffic.
No
sewer lines need to be moved, while the municipal water department should
face only minor adjustments. However, the city is petitioning the state to
improve drainage along the highway in the construction zone.
The
city would like to see the state install pipes instead of open
ditches.
Update
on Ditches Click
Here 
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