[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=49731.96

Johnson Road Work To Begin In 2009

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

LA PORTE - Requests for bids on the Johnson Road re-design and paving project have been solicited from engineering firms, but construction is not expected to begin until the spring of 2009.

At the Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, it was explained that federal funds will cover 80 percent of the $2.5 million project.

According to Rick McVay, county highway engineer, the remaining 20 percent will come from local funds. Along with repaving Johnson Road, work also will be done to improve drainage.

McVay said once project bids are accepted and the contractor is selected, the design phase will move forward. He said he expects that process to take almost eight months to complete.

The project also calls for improvements to the intersection at Pahs Road just south of Michigan City. Engineers are working on plans to remove the dip in Johnson Road at Pahs Road by adding dedicated left-turn lanes and possibly adding a stoplight.

Another problem area at the intersection with County Road 450 North is being targeted to improve visibility and add left turn lanes.

Johnson Road will not be widened, McVay said.

Earlier proposals to turn Johnson Road into four lanes between Michigan City and La Porte caused controversy. Homeowners were worried that widening Johnson Road to four lanes would bring traffic closer to their homes and eliminate a portion of their yards.

Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com

[Roger Kaputnik]

The stop light would be good when school is opening and closing, but it is not needed during the day.