Schererville approves $33.9 million in Kennedy Avenue work, buys right-of-way parcels
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Summary
Town council approved engineering/construction awards for Kennedy Avenue phases 1 and 2, authorized payments for railroad work, and approved multiple right-of-way purchases totaling about $231,200 for Phase 3.
Schererville town leaders on May 14 approved major steps to advance the Kennedy Avenue reconstruction, awarding contracts and authorizing property purchases and payments needed for the project to proceed.
The council voted unanimously to accept low bids for Kennedy Avenue Phase 1 and Phase 2, approve the town's share of the contracts and to authorize staff to finalize documents and submit invoices to the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). The combined construction total for phases 1 and 2 is $33,926,205.73; Schererville's portion is just over $10 million.
Town Director of Operations Andy Hanson said the Phase 1 award is for $17,446,034.09, with Schererville's portion for that element equal to $2,286,495.62. Phase 2's award is $16,480,171.64, with the town's share listed as $7,746,122.64. Hanson told the council bids came in under the engineer's estimates and that INDOT has facilitated the procurement.
The council also authorized payment of $83,311 for a Canadian National railroad force-account invoice related to work near Division Street; the town will submit payment through INDOT and INDOT will coordinate payment to the railroad.
Council members approved three property purchases needed for Phase 3 right-of-way and retention: $26,000 to acquire the parcel at 209 Kennedy Avenue (Parcel 7), $24,600 to acquire property and a temporary easement at 411 Winston Court (Parcel 1), and $180,600 to purchase approximately 1.5 acres from the Calumet Ridge Moose Lodge (Parcel 9) for retention. Andy Hanson said the amounts were based on appraisals; the purchases were for permanent right-of-way or temporary easements tied directly to construction needs.
All motions on the Kennedy Avenue items carried on unanimous voice votes. Council President Robin Arvinitis and Council members Tom Schmidt, Kevin Conley, Rob Getzloff and one other voted in favor.
The council and staff noted there will be significant utility relocations and road closures during construction; the town said it will post road-closure notices and updates on the town website. Hanson said INDOT made several adjustments to funding and that the town expects a 'true up' if there are construction overages at the end of the project.
The approvals conclude a long planning and design phase and move the project into active construction procurement and property acquisition.
