Officials celebrate completion of $3.5M Portage sewer rehabilitation project

Federal and local officials cut a ribbon this week to mark the completion of the second phase of a $3.5 million sewer rehabilitation project in Portage.

Under the guidance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Grimmer Construction, of Highland, relined or replaced more than 1,900 feet of existing sewer infrastructure located just east of Willowdale Road between Stone Avenue and Central Avenue.

The improvements will help reduce excess flow into the wastewater system and minimize the risk of sanitary sewer overflow events in areas located adjacent to Portage wetlands, protecting public health and the environment.

"This project is a success story and it reflects the kind of results we can achieve when federal, local and congressional partners work together toward a shared goal," said Col. Kenneth P. Rockwell, Chicago District commander for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, secured $2.6 million in federal funding for both phases of the project, while the City of Portage contributed some $900,000.

"Thank you to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the leaders of the city of Portage for their collaborative efforts to complete these vital upgrades to our water infrastructure," Mrvan said.

"I look forward to building on this partnership to deliver results that improve the quality of life and create more economic activity in communities across Northwest Indiana."

Altogether, Mrvan has managed to earmark more than $80 million in federal funds for Northwest Indiana projects since taking office in 2021, records show.

But this year the Republican-controlled Congress excluded Community Project Funding requests from federal spending legislation, including the $11 million requested by Mrvan for infrastructure improvements, education, police technology investments and similar initiatives across Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties.