A task force examining infrastructure, transit and other concerns between the city of Hobart and town of Merrillville is now a done deal.

The Merrillville Town Council at its Feb. 25 meeting approved a resolution to enter into a Joint Municipal Task Force aimed at “implementing more cohesive transportation strategies, secure state funding for major road projects and explore potential public transit solutions by working together.” The Hobart City Council voted for the measure at its Feb. 19 meeting.

“This initiative is about smart governance and regional cooperation,” said Merrillville Town Council President Rick Bella, D-5. “By aligning our efforts, we can improve infrastructure, attract funding and ensure that our roadways, pedestrian areas and transit systems support the future growth of both communities.”

The task force will consist of municipal officials, town and city employees, representatives from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and key community stakeholders. The group will include: the Planning and Building Director from each municipality, the City/Town Engineers, Redevelopment Commission Presidents, Hobart Mayor Josh Huddlestun and Bella, representatives from the Plan Commission and additional members as needed “to ensure a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach,” according to Merrillville spokesman Chas Reilly in a release.

Huddlestun said the idea to form the task force was initiated after a discussion he had with Bella, the Post-Tribune previously reported. Bella said the chief concern is traffic issues, especially with the possibility of a convention center being built in Hobart, north of U.S. 30 and east of Mississippi Street, on the border of both communities.

“Our main concern is traffic because it’s such a big issue,” Bella said.

According to the proposal, the executive summary reads in part: “The neighboring municipalities of Merrillville and Hobart share a series of critical infrastructure and transit issues, affecting not only their residents but also the broader community of Northwest Indiana. To address these issues, (Bella of Merrillville) and (Huddlestun of Hobart) propose the formation of a joint task force comprising town and city employees, officials and local stakeholders. This collaborative effort aims to create more cohesive transportation systems, enhance road safety, and better manage pedestrian flow while collectively soliciting state funding for road projects that will serve both communities and contribute to regional connectivity and economic growth.”

Key focus areas, according to the proposal, include traffic flow and congestion reduction, pedestrian safety and accessibility, shuttle services for inter-town business connectivity, and the securing of state and regional funding.

The task force will roll out in four phases over two years, Reilly said in the release. The first three months will be dedicated to establishing task force membership, conducting traffic studies and assessing infrastructure needs; months four through six will have the group developing detailed plans, cost estimates and drafting funding proposals; months seven through 12 will launch pilot initiatives, such as temporary pedestrian safety measures or trial shuttle service, and seeking state grants; and then fully implementing approved projects and securing the long-term funding for them in the second year, he said.

Freelance reporter Deborah Laverty contributed.