Kennedy Avenue Improvements

Our Kennedy Avenue Improvements project for the City of Hammond has won a 2026 State Finalist Award from ACEC Indiana and a 2025 Hoosier Planning Award (Honorable Mention) in the Best Implementation category from APA-Indiana!

Lochmueller revitalized 2,675 feet of Kennedy Avenue in Hammond, Indiana, from 169th to 165th Street, with new pavement, sidewalks, ADA ramps, table-top intersections, an upgraded signal, and pedestrian lighting. The project showcased an innovative application of urban design principles through a “road diet” approach that is uncommon in Northwest Indiana. The strategy converted a four-lane arterial into a two-lane roadway with dedicated parallel parking, intentionally reallocating space for significantly wider sidewalks and multimodal use. This bold shift fostered a more pedestrian-friendly environment and enabled businesses to expand with outdoor seating and event space, helping create a vibrant commercial corridor.

Safety and accessibility were further advanced through raised tabletop intersections at Martha Street, 167th Street, and Vine Street, plus added four-way stop-controlled intersections to calm traffic and reinforce pedestrian priority. Beyond the functional design, the corridor includes extensive placemaking features such as custom fencing with “H” emblems, diamond-patterned pavers, coordinated street furniture (including porch-style swings and benches), artistic bollards, bike racks, and pedestrian-scale lighting. One signal upgrade at 169th Street and two proposed signals at Martha Street and 165th Street incorporate detection and ADA-compliant push buttons for modern, safe crossings.

The team demonstrated exceptional ingenuity in addressing undocumented and abandoned underground utilities that required real-time design adjustments for storm sewer placement, signal foundations, push-button locations, and curb ramp slopes. Through daily on-site coordination among the contractor, utility providers, City staff, and design engineers, the project maintained ADA compliance and was delivered on schedule and nearly $79,000 under budget.