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Residents press for fixes at dangerous Southeastern Avenue S‑curve; city studied roundabout but funding shortfall cited
Summary
Neighbors urged traffic calming at Southeastern Avenue’s dangerous S‑curve and five‑way intersection. City engineering said a roundabout would be costly, require property takings and did not score for regional funding; police said they will increase enforcement and residents were told to file specific 311 reports.
Neighbors described increasing traffic, high speeds and a hazardous S‑curve on Southeastern Avenue and urged the city to take action. City engineers reviewed options and said a previously studied roundabout did not qualify for regional funding and would require property acquisition and multimillion‑dollar construction.
Deacon Matt (resident; Deacon, Saint John Bosco) and other neighborhood residents said motorists often fail to stop at the five‑way intersection and that vehicles frequently exceed posted limits through the S‑curve. "Now even if you're going southbound on Southeastern, you hit that s curve ... a lot of people don't see that sign," Deacon Matt said.
Dean Button (Engineering) said the city looked at a roundabout but the project "wouldn't score high enough to get NERPC funding" and would likely cost several million dollars and require taking property. Button said the city will continue to explore options but that some measures are constrained by right of way and funding.
Chief Andy Short (Hammond Police Department) said traffic officers have been active in the corridor and urged residents to contact the station or use the 311 app for immediate reports so the department can prioritize enforcement. Short noted the department’s limited resources and asked residents not to wait for Mayor’s Night Out when reporting urgent safety problems.
Residents suggested smaller measures such as flashing stop signs and lane reductions similar to other local projects. Button acknowledged the suggestions and said staff will continue to evaluate feasible low‑cost measures but that substantial infrastructure changes would require funding and property acquisition.
No final capital appropriation or funding for a roundabout was announced at the meeting.
