The newly formed Hobart/Merrillville Joint Municipal Task Force recently held its inaugural meeting.

Officials from both communities and the Indiana Department of Transportation focused on collaboration, regional growth and improved public services at its meeting.

Hobart Mayor Josh Huddlestun and Merrillville Town Council President Rick Bella, D-5th, in February announced the establishment of the task force as an effort to enhance regional connectivity and economic growth in Northwest Indiana.

During the May 7 session, the group addressed topics such as congestion in the Mississippi Street corridor, the addition of pedestrian and bike amenities, roundabouts and potential public transit solutions.Bella said there are many advantages to taking a collaborative approach to these issues and others.

“I think two municipalities will get more attention than one by itself,” Bella said.

During the meeting, Huddlestun said that the Mississippi Street corridor is a significant point of emphasis, particularly around the 79th Avenue intersection.

Officials from both communities expressed concerns about congestion as residents and visitors drive to popular stores and restaurants.

Merrillville Town Councilman and Redevelopment Commission President Shawn Pettit, D-6th, explained that Merrillville has secured approximately $7 million in federal funding for two separate road reconfiguration projects aimed at enhancing traffic flow and improving safety on Mississippi Street.

He stated that the 79th Avenue and 69th Avenue intersections are targeted, and roundabouts have been proposed to help address the traffic issues. Project dates haven’t been scheduled, but design work continues for those initiatives. INDOT is involved in the process.

Municipal officials also emphasized the need for pedestrian infrastructure improvements, particularly as the Silverstone Crossings property is developed along Mississippi Street, between 73rd and 79th avenues in Hobart.

Huddlestun said the Silverstone property could become a destination for shopping, activities and other uses, and the development will include pedestrian amenities within it.

“As we progress, I think we’ll have more pedestrians and more people that will be utilizing that,” Huddlestun said.

Officials also explored the possibility of adding other walking paths, and Bella noted Merrillville’s comprehensive plan update suggests a walkway under Interstate 65 to link Merrillville to Hobart.

The task force also began discussions about a potential shuttle service in the U.S. 30 corridor in Hobart and Merrillville.

Community leaders suggested creating a designated parking area within a local retail area, and a shuttle could loop around and make stops at popular locations in both communities.

The group will continue to meet regularly over the coming months to continue discussing the potential shuttle service and other shared ideas.

Steve King, Merrillville’s Street Department Director and Engineering Administrator, said an upcoming step would involve creating a plan to emphasize a shared vision and outline how the initiatives would benefit both municipalities. That unified plan could be instrumental in obtaining grants and other funding for projects.

“It’s going to take some thought and some more planning like this to move it forward,” King said.

Deborah Laverty is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.