Renewed NWI

NWI’s urban and rural centers are places people want to come

to and live in, and our environment is safe and healthy.

Members of NIRPC staff have recently taken part in a Road Safety Audit in Huntington, Indiana. A Road Safety Audit (RSA) is a formal safety performance examination of an existing or future road or intersection by an independent, multidisciplinary team. It is a community approach to solve a problematic stretch of road or intersection in an area. Bringing together Metropolitan Planning Organizations, County Engineers, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) representatives, local Law Enforcement, and/or any other relevant stake-holders; the involved parties work together to identify the safety concerns, as well as find solutions to combat the problematic stretch of road or intersection. It is a system built to bring in multiple entities with different backgrounds and schools of thought for a common goal of finding economic and realistic solutions to the problematic areas. 

RSA’s are a proactive approach to identify solutions to a problematic area examined by different branches of road safety professionals. These road safety professionals go into the field and look first-hand at the problematic areas. Together, solutions can be discussed on site as a way to ensure safety to these roads. 

NIRPC staff members took part in this audit process as a way to learn the process and be able to replicate the system to assist Northwest Indiana. NIRPC is looking into the potential of becoming a technical assistant for municipalities to conduct this system to ensure safer roads in Northwest Indiana. 

Interesting News!

The City of La Porte has embarked on an exciting process of creating a healthy living vision for the Heart of La Porte. The main purpose for the Heart of La Porte Plan is to create destinations to drive active living in NewPorte Landing, Clear Lake, and downtown and build infrastructure to support it.

The planning process aims to create a long-term vision for the area while focusing on short-term redevelopment, placemaking, and recreation opportunities and sharpen strategies that support local economic development.

The Plan is funded by the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte and the City of La Porte Redevelopment commission. A multi-day design workshop is scheduled for the week of November 18th. Learn more about the planning process and how to get involved visit here .

Pick Your Favorite!

Michigan City is transforming a former 23+ acre unregulated landfill located off of Karwick Road into a public amenity along Trail Creek. A leachate collection system spanning over 1,000 feet has been installed to capture and treat groundwater leaching from the landfill into Trail Creek. The sanitary district reports that nearly 25 gallons per minute of leachate is being collected and treated.

Severely eroded streambanks that were once a source of trash and sediment to the river are being regraded and stabilized to function as floodplain benches.

Once grading is completed the site will be revegetate in part with native plants, shrubs and trees.

The site, known as Karwick Nature Park, will open once again to provide public access to Trail Creek and adjacent natural area.

Photo Credit: Lake & Pond Biologist, LLC 

On Thursday October 10, Governor Holcomb and Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Commissioner Joe McGuinness announced that 15 municipalities and all 3 counties in Northwestern Indiana have been collectively awarded over $10.1 million in Community Crossings funds, funds that are used to improve roads and bridges.

Congratulations to Beverly Shores, Burns Harbor, Chesterton, Dune Acres, Lake Station, La Porte, Munster, New Chicago, Ogden Dunes, St. John, Schererville, Wanatah, Whiting, and Winfield as well as all 3 counties on your successful applications! For more information, click here.

NIRPC Environmental Management and Policy Committee Meeting

Indiana Trail Towns Workshop

Funding Opportunity!

NIRPC Technical Planning Committee Meeting

Natural Gas for Transportation Roundtable

Funding Opportunity!

NIRPC Commission/Executive Board Meeting

CommuniTree - Tree Pruning Workshop

Funding Opportunity!

NIRPC Transportation Resources Oversight Committee Meeting (Lake & Porter Counties)

Diversity and Inclusion Symposium 2019 - Save the Date

Funding Opportunity!

NIRPC Transportation Resources Oversight Committee Meeting (LaPorte County)

NIRPC and South Shore Clean Cities Winter Preparedness Training for Fleets