EDITORIAL: Erase barrier to progress at state line

Environmentalists from throughout Northwest Indiana and the southeast suburbs, and even a bit beyond, gathered Tuesday and Wednesday at Marquette Park in Gary to make connections across the Indiana-Illinois state line. They left with a resolve to continue that process.

Environmentalists question INDOT reps on Illiana plans

PORTAGE | Region environmentalists on Thursday urged Illiana Expressway planners to make groundwater protection a key component in the project.

NIRPC plan wins top national honor

PORTAGE | NIRPC’s 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan took the top honor at Tuesday’s American Planning Association’s conference in Chicago, NIRPC executive director Ty Warner announced at Thursday’s full commission meeting.

Valpo hiring consultant to study V-Line service

VALPARAISO | As ridership on the V-Line intracity bus system continues to improve, the city will seek proposals soon from consultants to do a route analysis to see if it could be doing even better.

Shortfall in federal funding putting new roads, bridges at risk

PORTAGE | Federal funding shortfalls of about $74 million for already approved road and bridge projects in Northwest Indiana may lead to “a Soviet-like system” for regulating who gets what built and when, an NIRPC official said at Tuesday’s transportation policy committee meeting.

Valpo seeks funds for another roundabout

VALPARAISO | Valparaiso has received almost $100 million in state and federal grants over the past 10 years, and it is hoping to get another $10 million approved in the next few months.

RICH JAMES: There's more planning than doing in NWI

If I had a nickel for every study commissioned by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District and the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, I’d be a very rich guy.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Accessible, comprehensive mass transit system needed

Northwest Indiana has been shaped and continues to be sustained by transportation.

NIRPC wants public more involved in long-term planning

The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission has extended the time for taking public comment on big revisions to its 2007 Public Participation Plan. It also has scheduled four open meetings to take more comments.

NIRPC committee calls for "complete streets"

A key committee of the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission on Tuesday approved guidelines that will encourage local communities to incorporate pedestrian-friendly components into local road projects.

Cedar Lake's character a mix of old, new

CEDAR LAKE | Civic pride is growing in Cedar Lake, according to Town Council President Randy Niemeyer.

Local transport funds cut under federal bill

The new federal transportation bill passed by Congress and signed by the president last year cuts funding for local road projects in Northwest Indiana by about 17 percent.

C.P. Mayor Uran is elected chairman of NIRPC board

CROWN POINT | Crown Point Mayor David Uran has been elected chairman of the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission.

Cedar Lake hosts green corridor open house Jan. 30

CEDAR LAKE | Town and Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission officials are hosting an open house Jan. 30 on a future green corridor.

Cedar Lake council members appointed to various panels

CEDAR LAKE | Town Council members have been appointed to various committees and commissions.

Torch, gavel passed at first NIRPC meeting of the year

PORTAGE | The gavel and the torch were passed at 2013’s first meeting of the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission on Thursday.

Swanson manned helm as NIRPC, region changed

When John Swanson was hired as executive director of the Northwestern Indiana Planning Commission in 2004, many people still said "not-in-my-backyard" when it came to hike and bike trails.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Regionalization would work well for some services

The current funding debate regarding the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority and the transition in leadership at the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission makes me think anew of regional approaches to governance.

Sustainability, economic development thrive in Cedar Lake

Cedar Lake is both the literal and figurative center of our community. While this presents several unique challenges for planners, it also presents exciting opportunities for a community to thrive at the intersection of sustainability and economic development.

NIRPC plan wins national award

The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission's long-range plan for the region's future has won a prestigious award from the American Planning Association.