U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., on Wednesday secured $10 million in federal highway funds for improvements to Chicago Avenue in Hammond.

The funding is expected to provide major improvements to the heavily traveled east/west thoroughfare, improve the quality of life in Hammond and address serious safety concerns.

"Every day, thousands of vehicles travel on State Road 312 (Chicago Avenue) in Hammond, a tremendous amount of traffic that causes major delays for local residents and business owners," Visclosky said. "The improvements that this funding pays for will realign the road so that traffic delays are reduced and also address safety concerns stemming from at-grade railroad crossings and the high concentration of truck traffic.

"The quality of life and safety benefits to the people of Hammond and residents of Northwest Indiana will be great, and they will enjoy the economic boost that goes with better infrastructure."

Heavy truck traffic accounts for roughly 20 percent of the many thousands of vehicles that travel the road each day and there are several at-grade railroad crossings that pose serious safety threats.

The federally funded improvements to Chicago Avenue will build two grade separations, such as an overpass, at railroad crossings to address safety concerns and alleviate nuisances associated with at-grade crossings. They will also streamline the road by eliminating two 90-degree turns that have been the sites of numerous accidents.

President Bush is expected to sign the bill shortly.