Three lanes of the $2.75 million roundabout being constructed at Indiana 130 and Indiana 51 in Hobart are now open.
The west lane, which takes traffic toward downtown Hobart along Cleveland Avenue, is expected to be completed in three to five weeks, said Cassandra Bajek, spokeswoman for the Indiana Department of Transportation. North, south and east lanes are open.
She said the three lanes opened to traffic three weeks ahead of schedule. The opening comes just ahead of Wednesday’s opening of the nearby County Line Orchard, a popular destination for out-of-state and local visitors.
“Our goal was always to try to get the second phase of work done early,” to coincide with the start of the school year, Bajek said. “But we have to contend with weather, supplies arriving on time, etc.”
She commended contractors Milestone Contractors North Inc. and Lochner for staying ahead of schedule. The final phase is expected to be completed in three to five weeks, she said.
At a 2021 public hearing, state officials cited 23 accidents from 2012 to 2015 at the intersection near the Oak Savannah Trail that draws bicyclists trying to navigate it. Motorists disregarded traffic signals in all cases.
Meanwhile, work is continuing on a roundabout at 61st Avenue and Marcella Boulevard, a city of Hobart project. East-west traffic lanes remain open but Marcella is closed at 61st Avenue. Its completion date is the end of October. Rieth-Riley Construction is doing the work.
The Lake County Highway Department was expected to begin construction on the Arizona Street bridge replacement project on Monday. The work will close Arizona Street between 61st Avenue and 10th Street through the end of November.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
