NIRPC, the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, has published the bi-annual report outlining state and federally funded transportation and transit programs and projects in Northwest Indiana. The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for 2022 through 2026 allocates nearly $23,000,000 for highway infrastructure, trails, sidewalks, and air quality education, for Lake, Porter and La Porte Counties. NIRPC also approved over $33,000,000 for transit assistance and new equipment, including buses, in these counties. NIRPC, as Northwest Indiana’s Metropolitan Planning Organization, is designated by the federal government to manage transportation funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation for regional infrastructure projects and transit assistance.
The 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) can be found on the NIRPC website, at: https://www.nirpc.org/2040-plan/mobility/transportation-improvement-program/
Funding for these programs raises the quality of life in Northwest Indiana communities through infrastructure projects, improved air quality, roadway safety, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, congestion management, transit operating assistance, as well as municipality- and county-led improvements on our streets and roads.
The Transportation Improvement Program was open for a 30-day public comment period spanning March 9 through April 8, 2021.
Construction on these projects is expected to begin between 2023 and 2026.
NIRPC’s TIP is a federally mandated, short-range financial and spending plan detailing the allocation of federal transportation funding. These funds can be used for highway, transit, and non-motorized transportation projects. NIRPC's TIP includes projects undertaken by municipalities, counties, transit operators, and the State of Indiana. Federal planning regulations guide the preparation and development of TIP documents every two years.
Investments included in the TIP are prioritized to support the goals of NIRPC’s long-range plan, NWI 2050. This plan has a 30-year planning horizon and determines how federal funds will be spent to meet the regional vision of northwestern Indiana. Find more information on NWI 2050 on the NIRPC website at www.nirpc.org.
Projects awarded state and federal transportation funds in the 2022-2026 Transportation Improvement Program include:
- Hammond – Marquette Greenway Multi-Use Path from Kennedy to Cline Ave.; Construction in 2025; total cost $2,470,000
- Hammond/East Chicago/INDOT – Marquette Greenway Trail over Kennedy Ave.; Construction in 2025; total cost $900,400
- Valparaiso – Multi-Use trail connecting Transit Center to downtown; Construction in 2024; total cost $2,245,500
- NIRPC – Air Quality Education in 2025 and 2026; total cost $945,000
- Cedar Lake – Sidewalks along Lakeshore Drive and Morse St.; construction in 2025; total cost $2,327,000
- NIRPC – Road Safety Audits for member communities; annually $77,500
- Schererville – Kennedy Ave. Phase 3 Oak to Main St.; Construction in 2025; total cost $7,761,000
- Lake Station – Central Ave. Complete Streets, Traffic Calming; Construction in 2026; total cost $1,519,000
- Valparaiso – Lincolnway and Campbell Roundabout; Construction in 2025; total cost $4,695,000
- Chesterton et al. – Signal preemption for emergency vehicles (various locations throughout 7 municipalities); Construction in 2025; total cost $1,947,000
- East Chicago – Michigan Ave. Pavement Rehabilitation; Construction in 2026; total cost $4,490,000
- Gary – 15th Ave. from Martin Luther King Drive to I-65; Road Reconstruction; Construction in 2024; total cost $3,300,000
- Griffith – Broad St. & Ave. H Roundabout; Construction in 2026; total cost $2,000,000
- Hammond – Summer St. Roadway Reconstruction; Construction in 2023; total cost $10,101,000
- Lake County – Bridge Replacement, Colorado St. over Deep River; Construction in 2026; total cost $1,441,500
- Merrillville – Mississippi St. and 79th Ave. Roundabout, Construction in 2026; total cost $4,909,000
- Merrillville – Mississippi St. and 69th Ave. Roundabout, Construction in 2026; total cost $2,125,000
- Munster – Main St. Road Reconstruction; Construction in 2025; total cost $6,691,000
- Valparaiso – SR 130 & CR 400 N Roundabout; Construction before 2030; total cost $2,410,000
- Porter County – Willowcreek Rd. from 700 N to SR 130, New Road Construction; Construction in 2025; total cost $7,000,000
- St John – Cline Ave. from 101st to 93rd, New Road Construction; Construction before 2030; total cost $9,137,000
- Winfield – Roundabout at 117th and Randolph; Construction in 2026; total cost $1,750,000
- La Porte County – Lincoln Trail extension from Westville to PNW; Construction in 2025; total cost $2,000,000
- La Porte County – Michigan Ave over Trail Creek bridge rehabilitation; Construction before 2030; total cost $3,125,000
- Michigan City – Singing Sands Trail Phase 3 A & C; Construction in 2026; total cost $2,668,000
- Michigan City – Singing Sands Trail Phase 3 D; Construction before 2030; total cost $1,800,000
- City of La Porte – Signal preemption for emergency vehicles (various locations); Construction in 2024; total cost $34,000
- City of La Porte/La Porte County – North South Corridor, New Road Construction; design only $1,169,000 in 2025
Funding assistance for operating and new equipment, including buses, was granted to the following transit operators:
- East Chicago Transit – $669,000 in 2025 and $758,000 in 2026
- Gary Public Transportation Corporation – $7,922,000 in 2025 and $7,924,000 in 2026; Grant Street Corridor Rapid Transit expansion in 2023 with $750,000 for 3 years.
- Lake County Community Services – $552,000 in 2025 and $611,000 in 2026
- Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District – $29,736,000 in 2025 and $32,554,000 in 2026
- North Township Dial-a-Ride – $372,000 in 2025 and $385,000 in 2026
- Opportunity Enterprises – $277,000 in 2025 and $281,000 in 2026
- Porter County Aging and Community Services – $285,000 in 2025 and $386,000 in 2026
- Valparaiso Transit – $1,140,000 in 2025 and $1,100,000 in 2026
- La Porte TransPorte - $389,000 in 2025 and $398,000 in 2026
- Michigan City Transit – $848,000 in 2025 and $1,153,000 in 2026
Documents and information are available at NIRPC’s website at www.nirpc.org. Requests for alternative formats may be directed to NIRPC by calling (219) 763-6060, or by email at nirpc@nirpc.org. TTY users may use the Relay Indiana service by calling 711 or (800) 743-3333.
The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) is the Metropolitan Planning Organization and Council of Governments for Lake, Porter, and La Porte counties in Northwest Indiana. Working collaboratively across the region, NIRPC coordinates regional comprehensive planning and programming for transportation, economic development, and environmental policy.