In the Town of Merrillville, starting Tuesday, November 9, NIPSCO and contracted crews from Aldridge Electric will be replacing nine miles of static wire on existing electrical transmission poles located on the top most position of the poles with new Optical Ground Wire (OPGW). A small, low-flying helicopter and utility trucks will be used to replace and string new wires. These wires shield the electrical conductors from lightning while providing a telecommunications path for internal communications.
This project is part of NIPSCO’s ongoing modernization plan to upgrade its energy delivery system in northern Indiana, ensuring a continued, safe and reliable source of energy to customers for the future.
The project is expected to last two weeks, and the work will take place Monday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CST (all schedules dependent on weather conditions). For the safety of our crews and local residents, lane and road closures are expected to be necessary to accommodate the work. Single and double lane closures are expected on the westbound lanes of 93rd Avenue from Mississippi Street to Chase Street as the crews perform work throughout the duration of the project.
Starting Thursday, November 11th through Sunday, November 14th crews will be working by helicopter to string new OPGW wires on W 91st between Chase Street and Clark Street that will result in brief, temporarily intermittent full road closures between the hours of 9:30 am and 2:30 pm CST.
Detour routes and signage will posted ahead of time. Flaggers will be onsite to direct traffic during construction hours. Please exercise extra caution when traveling near marked construction zones. Be sure to slow down and follow the direction of onsite crewmembers and posted signs including detour routes.
Customers are not expected to experience any interruption to their electric service as a result of this project work.
NIPSCO appreciates the patience of the community as work is being performed, and the company will continue to work with town of Merrillville officials to minimize customer impact throughout the duration of this electric modernization project.