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Hammond board approves fireworks, temporary closures and permits for spring work
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Summary
The safety meeting approved a July 3 commercial fireworks request, multiple short-term rail and road closures for track and water work in April, and a package of 12 right-of-way permits for the construction season; the Hammond Police booster pump contract was recommended but deferred for administrative action and later ratification due to quorum concerns.
The Hammond City safety board accepted several public-works requests and permits, including a commercial fireworks display, temporary rail crossing outages and intersection closures to allow planned spring construction.
Staff told the board that Raquel Welch, Wolf Lake Pavilion coordinator, requested a commercial fireworks display on July 3, 2026, beginning about 9 p.m., with vendor Mad Bomber Fireworks Production; board members recommended approval. Engineering and operations staff also presented two planned full closures of Sheffield Avenue and Homan Avenue mainline tracks for track work: 8 p.m. April 10–4 a.m. April 13 and 8 p.m. April 17–4 a.m. April 20, 2026. Staff described detour routes for westbound trucks (intercept at Calumet and route to 165th and Burnham to River Oaks Drive) and emphasized posting signage and coordination with rail owners such as CSX.
NICE Engineering requested a full intersection closure on Columbia at Summer from April 6–10, 2026, to install a 36-inch water valve; staff said the detour plan uses Indianapolis Boulevard for local traffic and has state concurrence. Engineering also presented 12 right-of-way permits for the construction season covering gas services, light-pole upgrades on Kennedy Avenue and lane restrictions for bridge/intersection work; the board recommended approval.
Separately, Knees Engineering recommended awarding the Hammond Police booster pump project to Sawyer Plumbing, Inc., for $68,000, but a member noted a quorum issue and the board agreed to defer formal approval until the next meeting and asked the city engineer to proceed administratively so the contract can be ratified later.
Board members and staff emphasized coordination with state agencies, rail companies and security/transport units to ensure detours are posted and traffic rerouted during closures. Staff will return with any final administrative documents or updates as necessary.
