
Renderings from DLZ show the scope of work planned for the intersection of 109th Avenue and Grand Boulevard in Winfield. Town officials hope to break ground on the project this year.
WINFIELD — The town is looking to tackle a long-awaited project this year.
During its Tuesday evening meeting, the Winfield Town Council announced the town secured funding to improve the intersection of 109th Avenue and Grand Boulevard.
Town Council President Gerald Stiener said the town received a Community Crossing grant for $1 million, as well as funds from the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission, to complete the project.
The town is working on securing funds to begin the roughly $2 million project this year, "hopefully sooner rather than later," Stiener said.
"We're working out some of the logistical details, but we're anxious to get this project done," Stiener said. "It is a very dangerous intersection. Anybody who's driven down this road knows. My wife almost got hit there tonight, as a matter of fact."
Stiener added: "It's a major improvement to 109th Avenue and will help keep traffic flowing, help avoid accidents, and we're all excited about it."
The project includes lowering 109th Avenue at the intersection to create a line of sight for motorists; widening the road to include shoulders and a turn lane; adding drainage swales on both sides of 109th; and installing a new culvert, project documents show.
"It's really going to happen. It's been a long time coming," Stiener said. "We've been working on this for a long time — doing right-away acquisitions, and everything else that it took to get this done. It's not an easy project."
Stiener told The Times after the meeting the town is working on "several other" improvements to 109th Avenue.
Councilman Dave Anderson thanked state Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, and former state Rep. Lisa Beck, D-Hebron, for their help in moving the project forward.
"We appreciate both, but Senator Niemeyer, being a big driver to help get this done, we really appreciate it," Anderson said, noting the legislator helped the town secure funding.
Town Council Vice President Tim Clayton said the project has been "a long time coming."
"We've been working on trying to find the right way to fix it, and this is what we feel is the right way to do it," Clayton said.
The work is set to go out to bid by next week, hopefully, Town Engineer Mike Duffy said, noting a bid will be awarded before April 8.
Also Tuesday, the Council:
- OK'd combining two lots into one within Doubletree Lake Estates.
- Agreed to release a performance bond and create a $49,143.19 maintenance bond for Deer Creek Estates, phase two.
- Voted unanimously to release a performance bond for Deer Creek Estates, phase 3, and create a $139,020.21 maintenance bond.
- Adopted Ordinance No. 312-A, which amends the town's 2021 salary ordinance, to create a new, full-time public works director position. The town's current public works director was considered part time until Tuesday.
- Approved soil boring services for the 109th Avenue and Grand Boulevard improvement project, as well as the Randolph Street sidewalk project not to exceed $13,450. The work is set to begin Thursday, town engineer Duffy said.
- OK'd the town's Capital Improvement Plan for 2021 to 2022, which includes sidewalk and trail installations, along with vehicle for the police department and public works.
Gallery: The Times Photos of the Week
Vigil for Wydallas Tobar

Friends and family release balloons at a Wednesday night vigil in Lake Station for Wydallas Tobar, who was killed a year ago in Gary.
Vigil for Wydallas Tobar

Balloons carry messages of remembrance for Wydallas Tobar, who was killed a year ago in Gary. Friends and family held a vigil for the 37-year-old Gary man on Wednesday night in Lake Station.
Vigil for Wydallas Tobar

Avori Austen, 15, one of Wydallas Tobar's daughters, signs a balloon as her mother, Jamie Austen, keeps them from flying away at Wednesday night's vigil in Lake Station on the anniversary of his death.
Vigil for Wydallas Tobar

Balloons are released at Wednesday night's vigil in Lake Station for Wydallas Tobar, who was killed a year ago in Gary.
Hobart makes its season debut against Griffith

Griffith's Jacari Phillips drives for a layup against Hobart on Tuesday.
Hobart makes its season debut against Griffith

Hobart's Keith Mullins pulls down a rebound Tuesday against Griffith.
Hobart makes its season debut against Griffith

Griffith's Prince Johnson Jr. tries to keep the ball from Hobart's Quinten White, left, and Keith Mullins during the Brickies' season opener Tuesday.
Hobart makes its season debut against Griffith

Hobart's Keith Mullins is double-teamed by Griffith's DeQuan King, left, and Prince Johnson Jr.
Merrillville at Michigan City

Michigan City's Mary Pat Kelley tries to stop Merrillville's Micah Grady in the first quarter at Michigan City Tuesday evening.
Merrillville at Michigan City

Merrillville's Kennedie Burks and Torri Miller swarm Michigan City's Trinity Thompson in the second quarter at Michigan City Tuesday evening.
Merrillville at Michigan City

Merrillville's SaMya Miller pulls the ball away from Michigan City's Mary Pat Kelley in the fourth quarter at Michigan City Tuesday evening.
Merrillville at Michigan City

Michigan City's Jaden Smallwood tries to defend Merrillville's Cailynn Dilosa in the first quarter Tuesday at Michigan City.
Orthodox Christmas service

Father Alex Novakovic opens the liturgy Wednesday morning at St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church, where parishioners are gathering for Christmas services under pandemic rules of social distancing.
Orthodox Christmas service

Pews are taped off for social distancing as Father Alex Novakovic leads liturgy Wednesday morning at St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church, where the pandemic has modified how those of the Orthodox faith celebrate Christmas.
Orthodox Christmas service

Parishioners light prayer candles Wednesday morning at St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville where the pandemic has modified how they celebrate Christmas.
Orthodox Christmas service

Badnjak or yule log prepared to burn Wednesday night at St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville as those of Orthodox faith celebrate Christmas.
William "Andy" Short is new Hammond Police Chief

William "Andy" Short examines his star after being announced as Hammond's new police chief.
William "Andy" Short is new Hammond Police Chief

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., right, presents William "Andy" Short with his star as Short becomes the new Hammond police chief.
William "Andy" Short is new Hammond Police Chief

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., right, presents outgoing Hammond Police Chief John Doughty with a key to the city.
William "Andy" Short is new Hammond Police Chief

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. looks on as William "Andy" Short speaks Friday after being announced as Hammond's new police chief.
Bowman/Gary West Side, boys basketball

Gary West SIde’s Jalen Washington, left and Nisaiah King as the Cougars play Bowman Academy’s Eagles Friday night at West Side.
Bowman/Gary West Side, boys basketball

Bowman's Koron Davis tries to squeeze between West Side’s Billy Muldrew, left and Parion Roberson Friday night at West Side.
Bowman/Gary West Side, boys basketball

Bowman Academy’s Leon Grimes maintains control at Bowman’s basket as West Side’s Israel Hines defends Friday night at West Side.
Bowman/Gary West Side, boys basketball

West Side’s Jalen Washington, center, grabs for a rebound at West Side’s basket with Bowman Academy’s Jevon France, left, and Ajani Nixon defending Friday night at West Side.
LaPorte at Lake Central

LaPorte's Grant Ott-Large tries to stop Lake Central's Brandon Escobedo at the basket in the third quarter at Lake Central High School in St. John Friday evening.
LaPorte at Lake Central

LaPorte's Grant Ott-Large gets past Lake Central's Jack Mahoney at the basket in the fourth quarter at Lake Central High School in St. John Friday evening.
LaPorte at Lake Central

LaPorte's Kyle Kirkham, Drew Noveroske and Tommy Samuelson try to disrupt Lake Central's Kyle Ross in the second quarter at Lake Central High School in St. John Friday evening.
LaPorte at Lake Central

Lake Central's Nate Oakley and LaPorte's Tommy Samuelson go for a rebound in the third quarter at Lake Central High School in St. John Friday evening.
Merrillville at Chesterton girls basketball

Chesterton's Emma Schmidt is double-teamed by Merrillville's Shekinah Thomas, left, and SaMya Miller.
Merrillville at Chesterton girls basketball

Merrillville's SaMya Miller, left, fouls Chesterton's Emma Pape.
Merrillville at Chesterton girls basketball

Chesterton's Katelynn Carr, left, is guarded closely by Merrillville's Torri Miller.
Merrillville at Chesterton girls basketball

Chesterton's Nalani Malackowski and Merrillville's Torri Miller chase down a loose ball.
Honor Flight sign delivery

Members of Honor Flight Chicago deliver yard signs to 94-year-old World War ll veteran Al Breu on Saturday. Munster police and fire departments along with friends and well-wishers paraded past Breu’s home, blasting sirens, honking horns and waving American flags.
Honor Flight sign delivery

Friends and well-wishers drive past the home of 94-year-old World War ll veteran Al Breu on Saturday. With a Munster police and fire department escort, Members of Honor Flight Chicago delivered a yard sign to Breu.
Honor Flight sign delivery

Navy veteran Jesse Casiano, of Munster, tapes flags to his car in preparation for a parade past the home of 94-year-old World War ll veteran Al Breu on Saturday.
Honor Flight sign delivery

Friends and relatives of 94-year-old World War ll veteran Al Breu stand near his Munster home Saturday as members of Honor Flight Chicago deliver a yard sign honoring Breu.
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Crown Point's Aly Hoover swims the butterfly leg of the 200-yard medley relay during the Highland Invitational at Valparaiso High School on Saturday afternoon.
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Highland's Rachel Krick competes in the 100-yard butterfly during the Highland Invitational at Valparaiso High School on Saturday afternoon.
011021-spt-swm-hig_2

Lake Central's Jourie Wilson swims the backstroke leg during the 200-yard medley relay during the Highland Invitational at Valparaiso High School on Saturday.
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Crown Point's Emma Bahr swims the butterfly leg during the 200-yard individual medley during the Highland Invitational at Valparaiso High School on Saturday afternoon. She finished second in the event.
Northern Iowa at Valparaiso women's basketball

Valparaiso's Leah Earnest gets a look in the paint on Thursday at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso.
Northern Iowa at Valparaiso women's basketball

Valparaiso's Grace White, center, finds pressure from Northern Iowa's Bre Gunnels, left, on Thursday at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso.
Northern Iowa at Valparaiso women's basketball

Valparaiso's Shay Frederick, left, works around Northern Iowa's Maya McDermott for a basket on Thursday at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso.
Northern Iowa at Valparaiso women's basketball

From left, Northern Iowa's Emerson Green, Valparaiso's Grace White and Ella Ellenson and Northern Iowa's Cynthia Wolf fight for a loose ball on Thursday at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso.
Northern Iowa at Valparaiso women's basketball

Valparaiso's Carie Weinman looks for an open teammate on Friday against Northern Iowa at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso.
Northern Iowa at Valparaiso women's basketball

Northern Iowa's Emerson Green, center, fights with Valparaiso's Shay Frederick for a rebound on Friday at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso.
Northern Iowa at Valparaiso women's basketball

Valparaiso's Shay Frederick gets a shot past Northern Iowa's Nicole Kroeger on Friday at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso.
Northern Iowa at Valparaiso women's basketball

Valparaiso's Carie Weinman, left, passes out while under pressure from Northern Iowa's Cailyn Morgan on Friday at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso.
Carter Ray little boy with cancer gives gift to homeless

Carter Ray with his mother, Kelly and some of the donated items he received to help homeless in Chicago. Carter, who just turned 11 on Tuesday, has leukemia. He made a wish to Santa for McDonald's gift cards and items to distribute to the homeless people he sees on a regular basis on his way to treatment at Comer Children's Hospital for his cancer. He received $230 in McDonald's gift cards, and also has hats, gloves, treat bags and other items to distribute.
Missouri State at Valparaiso men's basketball

Valparaiso coach Matt Lottich communicates to his players on Saturday at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso.
Missouri State at Valparaiso men's basketball

Missouri State's Gaige Prim, left, gets the rebound over Valparaiso's Ben Krikke on Saturday at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso.
Missouri State at Valparaiso men's basketball

Valparaiso's Donovan Clay, center right, goes up to try and block a layup from Missouri State's Keaton Hervey on Saturday at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso.
Missouri State at Valparaiso men's basketball

Valparaiso's Daniel Sackey, center, flies in for the layup on Saturday at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso.
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Valparaiso's Jacob Ognavevich dunks against Missouri State to bring the Crusaders within nine of the Bears in the second half at the ARC on Sunday afternoon in Valparaiso.
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Valparaiso's Ben Krikke drives past Missouri State's Gaige Prim in the second half at the ARC on Sunday afternoon in Valparaiso.
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Valparaiso's Donovan Clay and Missouri State's Ja'Monta Black battle for a rebound in the second half at the ARC on Sunday afternoon in Valparaiso.
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Valparaiso's Donovan Clay looks to the basket with pressure from Missouri State's Ja'Monta Black in the second quarter at the ARC Sunday afternoon in Valparaiso.