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Gary, Lake County launch Ridge Road overhaul; county funds $1.6 million, city adds $394,000
Summary
City and county officials announced a coordinated Ridge Road resurfacing and safety project funded with $1.6 million from Lake County and approximately $394,000 from the city of Gary; work begins immediately with milling and phased resurfacing, signal upgrades and ADA improvements.
City and county officials on Tuesday announced a coordinated effort to resurface and upgrade Ridge Road, a heavily trafficked corridor that connects Gary neighborhoods and extends toward the state line.
"We are here to announce a massive step forward in revitalizing one of our most heavily trafficked intersections and corridors," Mayor Eddie Melton said, calling the project essential for safety, local businesses and the regional economy.
Lake County Commissioner Kyle Allen secured "the primary funding for this major effort in the amount of $1.6 million," officials said. The city of Gary will contribute about $394,000 to mill and pave Ridge Road from Hatcher Boulevard to Harrison Street, with city crews scheduled to begin mid‑June.
Officials said Milestone Contractors will begin phase one milling operations from Calhoun (Kfax) Street to Wickham Street, with phase two planned next year to extend resurfacing to Hatcher Boulevard.
William Allen, city engineer, described the work as a "structural resurface, meaning that 4 in of asphalt will be taken away and replaced," and said the project will include thermal/plastic restriping and replacement of ADA ramps at intersections. He estimated the local portion of the work at "approximately $400,000."
Traffic‑safety upgrades are part of the plan: Midwestern Electric has been contracted to repair and upgrade signalized intersections from Hatcher Boulevard to Martin Luther King Drive. Officials said some signals will be decommissioned where traffic volumes do not warrant them and replaced with standard or flashing stop signs.
Mayor Melton summarized the combined investment and schedule: "Combined, the city of Gary is injecting over $560,000 in our roadway and traffic improvement efforts on this corridor." He warned motorists to expect temporary lane closures, delays and heavy construction activity while work proceeds and asked drivers to slow down for worker safety.
Commissioner Kyle Allen framed the initiative as a partnership and economic investment. "This is about cooperation, collaboration, and ROI, return on investment," he said, thanking county and city officials and contractor partners.
The ceremony concluded with a formal groundbreaking; officials said work on phase one is underway and phase two is scheduled for next year. No formal council or county vote was reported at the event.
