On Wednesday, September 3, the City of Lake Station hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a major road paving project in the community. The development is on Ridge Road, one of the most prominent roads in Lake Station.

Adrian Vera, chief of staff for the City of Lake Station, envisions this project to make a significant difference for residents of Northwest Indiana who frequently drive down Ridge Road.

“It’s going to have a great impact,” he said. “It will improve their quality of travel, providing better safety and fewer potholes. We’re very excited to do this project, partnering with the Lake County Commissioners’ Office and the City of Lake Station to show residents that we can all work together to get things done.”

Vera notes that this project will not only boost roadway safety but also reduce the long-term maintenance costs. With this improved road, the City of Lake Station wants to show local businesses how dedicated they are to creating a quality atmosphere for them.

Lake Station leaders and officials have collaborated on several road projects in recent years. The development of Ridge Road has been a point of emphasis for a long time, and excitement is in the air about this project finally coming to fruition.

“Since 2020, we’ve been able to pave about 95 roads,” Vera said. “We’ve been busy in the past five years taking advantage of grants that have been available to us. With the help of the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC), we’ve been able to make our roads better for residents.”

Lake Station Mayor Bill Carroll considers this project a strong representation of how the city is building momentum towards a brighter future.

“Today is more than just a celebration for one of Lake Station’s biggest paving resurfacing projects to ever be done here,” Carroll said. “This is a celebration of teamwork and collaboration. New roads mean safer travel for our families, better access for our businesses, and stronger connections with our neighbors. Progress can be inconvenient, but the reward is worth it. We’re thankful for all of the patience from our residents during the noise, detours, and delays.”

While the groundbreaking ceremony took place in Lake Station, the development of Ridge Road will have a lasting impact on Hobart residents as well. Mayor of Hobart Josh Huddlestun and the City of Hobart are thrilled to see how this project will transform not only their city but also Lake Station.

“It’s going to have a ripple effect throughout the area, from the Hobart side to the Lake Station side, as we look to continue investing in this corridor,” Huddlestun said. “This is one of the gateways to both of our communities. We understand that it takes a village, and the entire Region, to make Northwest Indiana a better place.”

Lake County Commissioner Kyle Allen echoes that sentiment. He’s looking forward to watching this road make life easier all throughout Lake County.

“Ridge Road passes through Lake Station, Gary, Griffith, Munster, Highland, and on into Illinois,” Allen said. “This project has been a long time coming. This is about jobs, investment, and the public safety of our people. We’re incredibly thankful for our engineers from American Structurepoint.”

This project was a collaborative infrastructure effort between the City of Lake Station, City of Hobart, and the Lake County Commissioners’ Office. All three allocated funds to modernize and improve this critical corridor. The expectation is that, in less than two weeks, this project will be completed and ready to enhance roadway safety for multiple cities in Northwest Indiana.
For more information on the City of Lake Station, visit lakestation-in.gov.