Upgrades to Starke Street in Hamlet will likely have to wait until next spring. Following improvements earlier this year at the intersection with Plymouth Street, the town plans to continue the upgrades all the way north to U.S. 30.
But that depends on the town getting a Community Crossings grant from the state. Town officials pointed out Tuesday that the Indiana Department of Transportation has not yet announced the list of grant recipients.
By the time they know whether the funding is arranged, they say there won’t be enough time to finish the work before harvest time brings a spike in traffic to the area. That means it will likely be next spring before the town will be able to schedule the work with the contractor.
The plan calls for the reconstruction of Starke Street from Plymouth Street north to U.S. 30, along with some drainage improvements. On top of that, a new sidewalk will be added along the west side of the road, to make it easier and safer for Hamlet residents to walk to the gas station.
Town council member Brian Earnest and Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts briefly discussed the project Tuesday with engineer Lee Nagai, after the town council failed to reach a quorum for its rescheduled regular meeting.
