
○ The project's general information will be accessible to the public on a Google
spreadsheet after October 21.
The Complete Streets Program and the Multi-use Trail Program applications are the responsibility of 3PC
to review and rank. The Complete Streets Program application changed points allocated to Access and
Connections, Economic Generation, and Environmental Benefits. This application is like the former
NOFA application. The impact of railroads is a new question on the application. Due to the difficulty to
carry out business with the railroad, the readiness of the project will be affected. The Multi-use Trail
Program application (the larger application), has minor shifting in point allocation for different
requirements. Trip generator points were adjusted. Visionary Corridors projects will receive an
additional 5 points. The Legacy Project is a new addition to the application. It is defined to be a stand-
alone project or phase of a project that has an approved NEPA document or has already received federal
funding through NIRPC. No points will be given if there is railroad involvement within the project. The
committee discussed the application questions of the NOFA regarding what percentage of school-aged
children are being driven to school. The data will be tracked by either a community or by census, but not
by a specific street. Most of the data questions will have a source listed.
Mitch updated the committee on the Living Streets Resolution. The Commission approved the resolution
last month. Green Streets language was added into the Living Streets Resolution. There will be an
emphasis on environmental infrastructure, drainage, stormwater retention and management, and rain
garden swales. Living Streets does not have its own application, rather it is spread throughout other
NOFA applications.
Dean Button presented on the request for the City of Hammond scope and program change for Des
#1601145, Marquette Greenway Trail. The multi-use trail will be changed to a Complete Streets project.
$1.2 million of CMAQ construction (CN) funds and $540 thousand in Right of Way (ROW) funds are being
requested to be moved from Marquette Greenway Trail to Hohman Ave Phase-2 Complete Streets (Des
No. is to be determined). Dean Button stated that the initial project would follow the North bank of the
Grand Calumet River, scoring very well in terms of funding. However, there has been recent reflection to
reconsider the location because it travels closer to a newly constructed sewer overflow basin of the
wastewater treatment facility plant. This would not be a pleasant experience using the multi-use trail.
The City of Hammond would commit to a street trail connector project, using local funds to be able to
make this connection. This project would be supplementing the Phase-2 project of Hohman Ave.
Comparative scoring between the Multi-use Trail project (which scored well) and the Complete Streets
project shows that the scoring ranked higher as the latter. Mitch confirmed that NIRPC has reviewed the
scores, and they are accurate. The committee discussed mobility and sensory accessibility on Hohman
Ave. The project will provide pedestrian and non-motorized improvements in the area. There will also be
raised intersections. On motion by George Topoll and second by Shannon Eason, the request for The
City of Hammond to change scope and program for Des #1601145 was approved. A roll call was taken,
and the decision was unanimously in favor of the request.
Mitch Barloga presented on Next Level Trails. The second round, which is a $30 million statewide
allocation release of funds, has been placed on hold by Governor Holcomb due to the COVID-19
pandemic. The Indiana Legislative Trails Caucus, a bipartisan group of state legislators, wrote a letter to
Governor Holcomb with a focus on the statewide impact that regional trail networks have delivered,
despite the pandemic, in hopes to release the second round of funding.
Mitch updated the committee on the trail use and bicycle retail surge. The Erie Lackawanna Trail in
Highland had over 4K users in March of 2019 and surged to 6700 users in March of 2020. April of
2019 had 7K users and spiked to 13K users in April of 2020. The Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) has ongoing research for outdoor recreation, which shows a rise in trail usage. Due to the influx of
cyclist activity, retail stores are also having a difficult time keeping bicycles and parts stocked. Rails to
Trails Conservancy has been reaching out to groups throughout Indiana to communicate with state
legislators and the governor’s office to reconsider funding.