Motorists will have to wait until Sept. 7 for the reopening of County Road 1100 N, which has been closed for weeks due to construction on the extension of the Westchester-Liberty Trail.
Originally, County Road 1100 N was going to reopen at County Road 100 E on Aug. 30.
But Assistant Town Engineer Matt Gavelek told the Chesterton Town Council Monday that heavy equipment used on County Road 1100 N caused the road surface to sink up to 6 inches in some places, due to soft soils.
Construction crews need to repair the road before motorists can return. Gavelek said he’s optimistic that the repair can be made quickly so the road can reopen before Sept. 7.
Gavelek said the new half-mile trail is finished, with guardrails and fencing installed in recent days. The trail extension runs along the north side of County Road 1100 N from S. 5th Street to County Road 100 E. The Indiana Department of Transportation is overseeing and paying 80% of the $1.1 million project.
Chesterton has set a dedication ceremony for 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12, at The River Church parking lot on County Road 1100 N.
Additionally, Thomas Centennial Park will become the town’s third park to be equipped with an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) for cardiac emergencies.
Chesterton Parks Superintendent Tyler McLead said that the Porter County Health Department is paying the $5,700 cost of the AED.
The AED will be installed on the side of the Duneland Chamber of Commerce building, which provides easy access to the downtown park.
Chesterton Park and Dogwood Park on its west side are already equipped with AEDs. McLead said the town may soon receive a donation that would cover the cost for an additional AED to be installed on the east side of Dogwood Park.
Gavin Hofkamp is sworn in as a Chesterton firefighter by Clerk-Treasurer Courtney Udvare during the Chesterton Town Council meeting Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (Jim Woods/for Post-Tribune)
In other business:
*Gavin Hofkamp was formally sworn in as the town’s newest firefighter by Clerk-Treasurer Courtney Udvare.
*Council unanimously granted the vacation of right-of-way on 915 S. 23rd St. Richard Wood, the homeowner, requested the vacation of unused property because it would allow him to more easily erect a 6-foot fence.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
