MERRILLVILLE | A Merrillville Town Councilman isn't satisfied with recent patchwork completed to 53rd Avenue between Georgia and Mississippi streets.
Councilman Richard Hardaway said the road, which is on the Gary-Merrillville border, has many potholes which can cause safety hazards for drivers.
Although the road is on the border of the municipalities, it is included in Gary's street inventory and the city is responsible to maintain it, Hardaway said.
"I'm concerned for residents on both sides of the street," he said of Gary and Merrillville residents.
Merrillville Public Works Director Bruce Spires sent an email in December to Gary's General Services division to ask if they had plans to repave or repair the road.
The email indicates the Merrillville Public Works Department had "received numerous complaints about the terrible condition" of the road.
An email from Cozey Weatherspoon, director of Gary's General Services, to Spires indicated a street crew hot patched 53rd Avenue, but General Services couldn't pave the road at this time.
A message left for Weatherspoon wasn't immediately returned Monday.
Hardaway said he thinks patching 53rd Avenue would be like putting a bandage "on a 6-inch gash."
"It's just going to slow down the bleeding," he said.
Hardaway said he understands Gary has many streets it must maintain, but he thinks 53rd Avenue deserves more attention because of its condition and the heavy traffic it receives.
"Something needs to be done," he said.
Hardaway said there was a fatal wreck on the road several years ago. He believes speeding was a factor in that accident.
He said Merrillville would have addressed the road if it was the town's responsibility.
According to Spires' email to Gary's General Services, Merrillville's Public Works Department completed some maintenance to 53rd Avenue in the past.
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