Now that Griffith’s Main Street project is in full swing, it has hired a firm to serve as construction management consultant.
The Griffith Town Council this week hired Butler, Fairman & Seufert (BF&S) of Indianapolis at a cost of $149,950.
“We have had great success using BF&S for projects over the years,” said Town Council President Rick Ryfa, R-3rd. “Specifically related to the Main Street project, the construction manager ensures that all the work is completely safety, on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.”
Ryfa said that as the project got underway last week, there was “some initial pain” with the street closure, as motorists adjusted to new routes, but it appears the situation has improved this week.
“We want to remind motorists to please be respectful of the neighborhood and follow detour routes,” he said. “We will be meeting with the contractors on a regular basis and will provide any updates to the schedule as they occur.”
Ryfa noted that access to each business will remain open, and encouraged people to visit the businesses during the construction.
The project includes new curbs, gutters and widened lanes along Main, covering the stretch of road from Wood Street east to Colfax Avenue. The second part of the project involves the construction of a new storm drainage system.
Currently, there is no drainage along Main, as the water drains into the adjacent ground or sits on the road or existing businesses until it can run off into the grassy areas. The new storm pipe will run along Main to Wood and then head north to Lake Street where it will connect with existing infrastructure.
Stormwater will flow to the pumping station on Wood, which will discharge it into the Cady Marsh Ditch. Water flow will then make its way to the deep tunnel on Arbogast Street and finally deposit into the Little Calumet River.
The project is funded through INDOT’s Community Crossing Matching Grant (CCMG), which will cover $1.5 million of the estimated $2.7 million cost. The town will pay its portion of the matching grant with remaining funds from the town-wide sidewalk project or other unused bond issue funds that would allow for road work. Any remaining funds could be used to repave Main Street west of Broad Street, Ryfa indicated.
Construction engineer updates project
Brandon Towle, construction engineer for BF&S, said that Main is currently closed to through traffic between Dwiggins Avenue and Wood, emphasizing that all local businesses remain open and accessible.
“The project is on schedule,” he said. “The new storm sewer trunkline and water main have been installed. Over the next couple of weeks, the water main will undergo testing while storm sewer laterals are installed. Concurrently, excavation for the road subbase will begin.”
Towle added that in early October, concrete curbs will be installed along Main and Wood. Paving of Main is expected to begin at the end of October.
“If the project continues at its current pace and weather forecasts remain favorable, we may extend Phase I construction beyond Dwiggins Avenue,” he said. “This would reduce the duration of Phase II, which is scheduled to begin in Spring 2025. However, our top priority is to ensure that Main Street reopens to traffic during the winter months.”
Jim Masters is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
