Northwest Indiana Discussion

How stupid!

I don't need a sign to tell me Colorado St. has rough pavement, it has for over a decade!

That road need to be repaved.

Town unable to repair Colorado Street

M'ville doesn't have estimated $500K; grant search strikes out


By Chas Reilly - chas.reilly@nwi.com, (219) 662-5324 | Posted: Sunday, April 25, 2010 12:00 am | 1 Comment


MERRILLVILLE | The potholes, cracks and other damage to Colorado Street in Merrillville have prompted numerous complaints, but leaders say the town doesn't have enough money to correct the problems.

Merrillville Public Works Director Bruce Spires said Colorado Street is in "terrible condition," and rebuilding the road would cost at least $500,000.

Spires said Merrillville sought federal grant money to fund improvements on Colorado Street, but the road wasn’t eligible.

"They told us it was too bad," Spires said.

He said the Mississippi Street tax increment financing district was extended to include Colorado Street, but funds in the TIF district are earmarked for other projects.

Town Councilman Shawn Pettit said he has received many complaints about the road, but he is unsure what the town can do to improve it.

Spires said the Public Works Department patches damaged areas on the road, but "sometimes they don’t last 24 hours."

Although the road needs improvements, Spires doesn’t think the town should close Colorado Street.

"That would be an extreme reaction to the situation," Spires said.

He said Merrillville decreased the speed limit on the road from 40 mph to 30 mph last year to improve safety.

Many motorists drive in the center of Colorado Street to avoid the damaged areas. Spires said town leaders oppose that practice, but he understands motorists are attempting to avoid damaging their vehicles.

Multiple road improvements on tap for Merrillville


By Chas Reilly chas.reilly@nwi.com, (219) 662-5324 nwi.com | Posted: Friday, October 1, 2010 12:00 am

MERRILLVILLE | Paving projects on multiple town roads could begin next week.

Merrillville's Redevelopment Commission has awarded contracts to Griffith-based paving contractor Walsh & Kelly to pave roads, including Colorado Street, Harms Road, Merrillville Road and 86th Avenue, Town Councilman Shawn Pettit said.

The total cost of all of the work is about $1.5 million, Merrillville Public Works Director Bruce Spires said. Multiple funding sources, such as the Merrillville Road tax increment financing district and a bond the Town Council approved in July, will be used to pay for the projects.

The Colorado Street paving project will begin in the 8500 block of Colorado Street and end at 101st Avenue, Pettit said. Harms Road will be paved between Mississippi Street and just east of Colorado Street, he said. Spires said 101st Avenue also will be paved from Mississippi Street to Colorado Street.

The work on Merrillville Road will include paving between 84th Drive and U.S. 30. A traffic signal also will be added at 84th Drive, Pettit said. Improvements also are planned on Harrison/Madison Street from 61st Avenue to 68th Place, Spires said.

Town Councilman Joseph Shudick said he is pleased that 86th Avenue also is included in the paving work. That road will be improved from Grant Street to Merrillville Road.

Spires said a work schedule hasn't been established but he thinks the road work will start next week.

Pettit said he wants the projects completed by the end of October.

"There's no reason why it can't be done in three to four weeks," Spires said.