Emergency signal traffic lights are finally coming to Duneland communities this year, improving safety at major intersections when police and fire departments are responding to a scene.
Chesterton and Porter, along with Liberty and Portage townships, will be getting the specially equipped traffic control devices this year.
The grant, administered by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC), is covering 90% of the cost, projected to be around $1 million.
Emergency vehicles will be equipped with a transponder that can interrupt the normal operation of a traffic light. Emergency vehicles will get a green light while vehicles approaching from a cross direction are stopped. It helps reduce the potential for crashes.
Valparaiso is a Porter County community that has the emergency signal traffic lights.
Chesterton Town Engineer Mark O’Dell said he doesn’t know what the safety statistics are, but it’s apparent that the lights will be a safety enhancement that helps protect the town’s police and fire employees.
Councilman James Ton, R-1st, said he can remember an incident years ago when a Chesterton Fire truck was wrecked responding to a call because a truck went through a stoplight at Ind. 49 and County Road 1100 N. He said they were fortunate that no one was hurt.
“We have been interested in getting the protection for our fire and police in place,” Ton said.
Chesterton is the lead agency, coordinating the project that has been in the works for a while. Portage originally was going to participate but decided to withdraw.
O’Dell said that the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will be opening the bids for the project on Feb. 11.
Installation of the traffic lights will probably occur this fall.
Eleven locations have been chosen for Chesterton. The emergency signal traffic lights will be installed at intersections on Ind. 49, Indian Boundary Road and Calumet Avenue.
Porter will get emergency signal traffic lights at five locations.
Liberty Township Trustee Matt Keiser said most of the seven lights in his township will be installed on U.S. 6.
O’Dell said that four emergency signal lights will also be installed on U.S. 6 in Portage Township.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
