PORTAGE | The crossing project to link The Trails and Samuelson Estates subdivisions over Robbins Ditch could be constructed this winter.

John Hannon, of Great Lakes Engineering, representing developers Richard Brennan and Bob Gorgei, told the Board of Works on Monday that he will have a design for the crossing in the city's hands for approval by Dec. 1.

The project has been on the books for about three years. Each of the subdivisions at present have only one ingress-egress, and the city has been pushing for the link that would give two accesses to the subdivisions. The city prefers two accesses to a development for safety reasons.

"They have been struggling to find a crossing that did what needed to be done and do it as economically as possible," Director of Public Works Craig Hendrix said.

Hendrix said the crossing will be constructed of polymer-coated galvanized steel and will include curbs and sidewalks.

Hendrix and Mayor Olga Velazquez met with Hannon last week to try to push the project along.

Hannon said the project still needs approval from the city, Porter County, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Army Corps of Engineers and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management before construction can begin.

Velazquez said she believes the proposed crossing will be "aesthetically pleasing to residents and functional."

In other business, the board awarded two contracts for the purchase and installation of a generator at the community building at Woodland Park. The building serves as a cooling and heating shelter for the city. The generator will be purchased from Brehob, of Fort Wayne, for $29,970 and will be installed by Circle R Electric, of Portage, at a cost of $12,475.