Visclosky Secures $10 Million for Hammond Road Improvements

Press Release

Enhancements to State Road 312 will Improve Quality of Life and Safety, Provide Economic Boost

Congressman Pete Visclosky today secured $10 million in federal highway funds for improvements to State Road 312 in Hammond. The funding will provide for major improvements to the heavily-traveled East/West thoroughfare that improve the quality of life in Hammond and address serious safety concerns.

"Every day, thousands of vehicles travel on State Road 312 in Hammond, a tremendous amount of traffic that causes major delays for local residents and business owners," said Visclosky. "The improvements that this funding pays for will realign the road so that traffic delays are reduced and also address safety concerns stemming from at-grade railroad crossings and the high concentration of truck traffic. The quality of life and safety benefits to the people of Hammond and residents of Northwest Indiana will be great, and they will enjoy the economic boost that goes with better infrastructure."

State Road 312 is a major East/West highway that runs across Hammond, connecting manufacturing facilities in Northwest Indiana with Northeastern Illinois. Heavy truck traffic accounts for roughly twenty percent of the many thousands of vehicles that travel the road each day and there are several at-grade railroad crossings that pose serious safety threats. The federally-funded improvements to State Road 312 will build two grade separations at railroad crossings to address safety concerns and alleviate nuisances associated with at-grade crossings. They will also streamline the road by eliminating two 90-degree turns that have been the sites of numerous accidents.

"Once these improvements are completed, driving across Hammond on State Road 312 will be a safer, smoother trip," said Visclosky. "Traffic will move faster, treacherous turns will be eliminated, and grade-separated railroad crossings will prevent the deadly collisions that too often occur at our existing at-grade crossings. Air pollution from auto emissions will be reduced because of the diminished idling time cars and trucks will spend stopped at railroad crossings and red lights. And the improved transportation infrastructure will allow for more commerce, to the economic benefit of everyone."

The $10 million for improvements to State Road 312 were included in H.R. 1195, a bill making technical corrections to the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The bill was approved by the House of Representatives today. It was previously approved by the Senate on April 17 and will now be sent to the President for enactment into law. President Bush is expected to sign the bill shortly.

"I thank Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott and the City of Hammond for acknowledging the need for improvements to State Road 312 and working with me to make them a reality," said Visclosky. "By collaborating in this fashion we can leverage federal funding for local improvements and build a better Northwest Indiana for everybody."

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