"Gateway to the Indiana Dunes" Sub-Area Plan
Project Overview
The 2005 Porter County Destination Audit indicates that annually more than 3 million visitors come to Porter County to visit the Indiana Dunes. Those visitors find themselves trying to navigate through a place that lacks a gateway community or a place to start their experience. During the public hearings held in conjunction with the development of the Marquette Plan, many voiced concerns that this lack of a gateway, a sense of arrival – negatively impacted the quality of life of Porter County residents, as well as, the economic development opportunities associated with these visitors.
The Indiana 49 Lakeshore Gateway Corridor (as identified in the Marquette Plan – Phase II: A Vision for Lakeshore Reinvestment (February 2008)) Development Project will balance the needs of the resident and visitor, as well as, outline a course of action that will invest in community infrastructure, showcase our heritage, redefine the edges, bridge the gaps, preserve, protect and enhance our environmental systems, protect our waters, and identify an effective management and funding strategy – or in other words – meet the principles outlined in the Marquette Plan on our way toward “Creating a Livable Lakefront”.
Like the Marquette Plan, the Lakeshore Gateway Development Project will require collaboration and cooperation if it is to be successfully implemented. It requires local implementation or a “local champion” to help northwest Indiana realize the long-term vision of the Marquette Plan.
Recognizing the need for local leadership and the importance of open communication and discourse, the Town submits this application and has already taken steps to engage the stakeholders in the project area to discuss the project. Working collaboratively with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (Indiana Dunes State Park), the National Park Service (Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore), the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission, the Porter County Parks Department, the duneland communities and various other federal, state, and local agencies the Town of Porter believes success will be attained.
The Indiana 49 Lakeshore Gateway Corridor Development Project includes four initiatives:
The Indiana 49 Lakeshore Gateway Sub-Area Plan “Gateway to the Indiana Dunes”
The proposed plan will guide future development in the Indiana 49 Corridor to create the iconic “Gateway to the Indiana Dunes The Plan will be guided by the principles outlined in the Marquette Plan. The Plan will include strategies and an action plan that identifies responsible parties and timelines, along with catalytic projects, in order to clearly articulate plan implementation.
Indiana 49 Engineering Feasibility Study
The proposed project involves the design, engineering, and construction of Indiana 49 between Interstate 94 and the Indiana Dunes State Park. The reconstructed highway will become the iconic “Gateway to the Indiana Dunes”. The corridor is approximately 8,920 lineal feet (approximately 1.5 miles) and will include upgraded travel lanes and one transit lane, signal modernization (with pedestrian cross-walks), street lights, ribbon curbs, driveway aprons, storm water conveyance systems (using best management practices) and native landscaping.
“Gateway to the Indiana Dunes” Alternative Transportation Study
The proposed study will analyze various methods of transporting residents and visitors between the many uses and attractions along the corridor. The study will be conducted as a partnership with the Town of Porter, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (Indiana Dunes State Park), the National Park Service (Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore), Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission, and the Indiana Department of Transportation, elected officials and project area stakeholders.
The Dunes Kankakee Trail
The proposed project involves the design, engineering and construction of the Dunes Kankakee Trail from U.S. 12 south to the intersection of Woodlawn Avenue and Calumet Road. The Trail is approximately 20,850 lineal feet (3.95 miles) and will include a ten foot wide asphalt trail bounded by two feet of ribbon curb on each side. As part of the project, pedestrian/bicycle bridge across Indiana 49, wayfinding and interpretative signage, crosswalks, lighting, storm water conveyance systems (using best management practices), bike racks, benches and decorative and native landscaping will be installed. The Trail will begin at U.S. 12 and works its way south along Indiana 49 to Oak Hill Road at which point it will extend west to Waverly Road and then south to Woodlawn Avenue. Once at Woodlawn, the Trail will continue east to Calumet Road where construction will terminate.
Public Project Documents:
Plan Board — 8.36 MB