CROWN POINT | The $2.1 million West Street project is working well to alleviate drainage problems, Mayor David Uran said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday marking its completion.
In the past, Uran said, the intersection of West and North streets flooded during heavy rains. Since project completion in July even during significant storms, the problem has been alleviated, the mayor said.
Audrey Everett, who lives on the corner of West and North Streets, agreed, saying she is happy with this phase of the project, which has corrected significant flooding issues.
Designed to improve the efficiency and capability of the storm sewer management system within the city, the total project cost was $2,125,000. The majority, 75 percent, was financed through federal funds obtained by U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind.,
Work included installing new storm sewers, drainage structures, water mains and sanitary sewer adjustments. West Street was resurfaced from 100 feet north of West Joliet Street to Robinson Court and reconstructed from Robinson Court to Anderson Street.
“On the surface ,you look at it and it just looks like a really nice curb and asphalt type project with sidewalks,” Uran said. “That is basically the frosting on the cake. When we met here last year, it was raining which was perfect because this is a storm water project.”
Uran said the project was an example of what can be accomplished when government agencies work together.
“We couldn’t have done it without the cooperation of our congressman bringing the dollars back home, the expertise of the Army Corps of Engineers for taking those dollars and putting them in the right areas and really stretching this project out so everyone had a benefit not only for the infrastructure but for the storm water side.”
Uran said the project was completed with “lightning speed” since ground was broken in early spring.
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