HIGHLAND | Officials in Highland and Schererville appear to be at an impasse regarding the length of a median for one of the proposed lifestyle centers in Schererville.
Plans for Shops on Main originally called for a full median on Main Street, the towns' border, from U.S. 41 to a proposed traffic signal at the Target entrance.
But Fred Halpern, the owner of Albert's Jewelers, complained that prohibiting left turns to his store off Main would harm his business. In response, the developer shortened the proposed median to end at the jewelry store parking lot.
Highland Town Council members continued to object to the shortened median during a study session Monday and directed Town Manager Richard Underkofler to draft a resolution about the matter.
"There's been a ton of accidents at that intersection," said Highland council President Daniel Dernulc, R-5th. "It's going to get worse."
Dernulc said Highland controls the road even though the border between the two towns runs down the middle of the street.
Schererville Town Manager Bob Volkman, who attended Highland's meeting, said the shortened median would stop many cars from darting across lanes. He also said Halpern was adamant about not being blocked by the median.
"We're getting 80 percent of the improvement" with the shortened median, and Albert's probably would not oppose an extension of the median if the accident rate dictates, Volkman said.
Highland council Vice President Joseph Wszolek, R-4th, disagreed.
He said if there were a traffic fatality without the longer median, he would not want it on his conscience.
"It comes down to public safety," he said.
The Highland Traffic Safety Commission has recommended the full median, he said.
Council President Daniel Dernulc, R-5th, and Mark Herak, R-2nd, said they support a full median.
Bernie Zemen, D-1st, said the shorter one should be built to help the jewelry business.
Councilman Robert Helmer, R-3rd, was absent from the meeting.
Officials from both towns said it could become a legal interpretation as to who has the authority to determine the median's length.
