Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rep. Pete Visclosky (IN-1), and East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of a water main replacement project in East Chicago.
The project will replace the existing water main located in East Chicago, Indiana, along Indianapolis Boulevard between Columbus Drive and 151st Street. The existing water main is undersized and beyond its useful life, and will be replaced primarily with 12-inch water main. This project is part of the Calumet Region Environmental Infrastructure Act, and has been allocated $1,595,000 of federal funding for fiscal year 2018.
The project is cost shared at 75 percent federal and 25 percent nonfederal. The nonfederal sponsor, City of East Chicago, provided the 25% cash match of $523,333.
“Projects of this nature are the result of partnerships among federal, regional and local agencies,” said Col. Aaron Reisinger, commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District. “The Calumet Region Environmental Infrastructure authority allows the Corps to assist local governments in planning, designing, and constructing water-related projects. Under this authority, the Chicago District has received over $41.8 million in federal funds through fiscal year 2019. Forty-one environmental infrastructure projects have been developed in northwest Indiana in partnership with counties and local communities, including 33 completed projects, four under construction, and four in design phase.”
A contract was awarded to G.E. Marshall, Inc. of Valparaiso, Indiana, in October 2018, for $1,825,636.42 (including options). Field construction will begin at the end of April 2019.
“We are working hard to bring many infrastructure improvements to our city,” Mayor Copeland said. “This new water main will provide increased water pressure, quality water delivery to all the homes and businesses in the area along the North side of East Chicago. This is the first phase of the project and we look forward to working with Congressman Pete Visclosky and the Army Corps of Engineers.”
"I applaud the leadership of Mayor Anthony Copeland and everyone with the City of East Chicago, as well as the dedication of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for successfully commencing this water infrastructure investment,” Rep. Visclosky said. “It is this type of hard work and initiative that fundamentally improves the quality of place in East Chicago and the ultimately further grows our regional economy for the benefit of all current residents and future generations."