Construction of the Central Avenue west rebuild in Portage is still three years away, but public comment is being accepted now.
American Structurepoint representatives hosted a public input session Monday at City Hall to explain how the project will work.
The project spans from County Line Road to Brandt Street, adding curbs, sidewalks and drainage improvements as well as new pavement.
It’s such a massive project that it might be split into separate projects to get the maximum federal funding for it, American Structurepoint’s Chris Murphy said.
Project Engineer Matt Oyer said the project might evolve to add additional improvements at the intersection with Dombey Road, where there is a traffic light. A left-turn lane is among the ideas under discussion.
“Drainage improvement is a big part of this project,” Environmental Project Manager Josh Iddings said.
Plans are still being developed, to be influenced by any public input received for the project, but the idea is to tie in with existing sewer networks on either end of the project.
The area lacks ditches, and there isn’t a continuous storm sewer along this section of Central Avenue. The project is expected to improve drainage for residents as well as the road itself.
At the east end of the project, there’s already a stormwater detention pond. Whether it needs to be expanded or an additional one created is still undecided, Iddings said.
The sidewalks will be a big plus for the area. There are a few sidewalks near Dombey, but not throughout that entire stretch of Central Avenue.
Adding sidewalks will improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. “It’s going to be a whole lot easier getting around if you’re on a bicycle or walking,” Iddings said.
Part of the area is in Councilwoman Gina Giese-Hurst’s district. With gas prices as high as they are, people are driving less and walking or bicycling more, so she’s happy to see sidewalks included.
The push for new sidewalks goes back as far as Mayor John Williams. The Central Avenue project planning dates back to Mayor Doug Olson.
“The west end of town is the first thing you see from Lake County or Illinois, and you want it to feel welcoming,” Giese-Hurst said.
Among the challenges the project faces is that more than 90 properties are involved. In some cases, lots stretch to the center of the road. The city will have to buy a portion of the properties, not just a right of way, because federal rules require the city to own the land where the road is being built.
Construction is expected to begin in spring 2029 and take a year to finish. The work will be done in stages to minimize inconvenience for residents.
The project’s website is www.structurepointpublic.com/centralave.
Public comments, due by July 29, can be sent to psamra@structurepoint.com or mailed to Pretti Samra, American Structurepoint Inc., 9025 River Road, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46240.
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
