Pedestrian-friendly improvements are on the horizon for Crown Point’s downtown.
The Board of Works and Public Safety has approved plans to even concrete walkways along Clark Street and also entered into an agreement with the Indiana Department of Transportation to add pedestrian “bumps,” larger waiting areas at the intersections on the downtown Courthouse Square.
Tris Miles, city engineer, said Wednesday the state will be spending $33,000 on the pedestrian bump project on the square, 90 percent of the cost. The city is responsible for $3,300. He said the work will be an enhancement to the crosswalk access points.
“It’s an expansion of the sidewalk and pedestrian waiting areas,” Miles said.
Work is expected to include all four intersections on the downtown square.
In the other project, public works director Scott Redigar received permission to hire Precision Concrete Cutting of Holland, Mich., for sidewalk trip hazard removal. Instead of replacing concrete sidewalks that have become a trip hazard due to shifting, Precision cuts the concrete to make the sidewalk even again.
Redigar said the process is quicker, less expensive and will not damage the foundations of buildings that abut the sidewalk. Sidewalks being repaired only have to be closed for a brief time.
The initial quote for the work was about $16.50 per linear foot. Redigar said because he was unable to find more companies that do the work to go out for bid, he negotiated with Precision to lower the price to $12.50 per linear foot.
Work will include one block areas of East Clark Street and East North Street walkways and sidewalks on East Street from North Street to U.S. 231. Cost is $8,827.
Carrie Napoleon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
