Hammond board approves multiple CIB allocations for roadway, quiet zones and reconstruction work

Hammond’s Board of Public Works and Safety approved several Community Investment Board (CIB) funding allocations and associated agreements on July 24, including roadway repairs, quiet-zone engineering and match funding for a federal reconstruction project. The board approved $7,100 in CIB funds and a recommendation to award the Willow Court at State Street roadway improvements to Hawk Enterprises Inc.; staff said temporary barricades have been in place and the work will create a permanent improvement near the Norfolk Southern crossing where vehicles have been departing the roadway. The board also approved $70,000 in CIB funds and a professional-services agreement with First Group Engineering to petition Norfolk Southern and establish five railroad quiet zones in the Downtown Norfolk Southern corridor (Willow, State, Sibley, Oakley and Sol). Separately, the board approved $52,750 in CIB funds and a First Group agreement to pursue quiet zones in Hessville at crossings identified by the mayor’s office. For Summer Street reconstruction, the board approved $14,171.16 in CIB funds as the city’s match and approved change orders 5–7. Staff said the change orders reflected water and sewer conflicts and a nominal catch-basin substitution during federally funded work; the CIB allocation covers the city’s 20% match. The board also approved $5,020.40 in CIB funding and a quote from Hawk Enterprises to replace a vehicle‑damaged bollard at the northwest corner of Kennedy and Martha; staff said salvaged parts were being reused when possible. Each of the CIB allocations was presented as previously approved by the Community Investment Board, and the board recorded motions to approve the funding allocations and related agreements. When asked, staff confirmed that the Governor’s Parkway project will remove a couple of crossings in the Hessville area, which will reduce the number of active crossings requiring horns. No dissenting votes were recorded; the board approved each allocation by voice vote.