La Porte, Indiana — A major infrastructure upgrade bringing safer and smoother travel to the region has officially reached its halfway milestone. City leaders and contractor F.H. Paschen announced that the U.S. 35 Pavement Replacement and Utilities Project is progressing on schedule across the 2.55-mile stretch between Boyd Boulevard and State Road 2.
Construction began in early 2024 and remains on track for completion by the end of 2026, despite the upcoming winter season and work in one of the most heavily traveled corridors in the city.
“La Porte continues to invest in long-term growth, and this massive U.S. 35 road project is central to that vision,” said Mayor Tom Dermody. “We are grateful to our partners – U.S. Congressman Frank Mrvan, State Representative Jim Pressel, INDOT and F.H. Paschen – who have worked in collaboration with our city leadership team to deliver the project to this milestone on time and on budget.”
Significant Progress Below Ground
Beyond pavement upgrades, the project addresses critical infrastructure beneath the roadway — replacing aging water mains, sanitary sewer lines, and stormwater systems to reduce flooding and support future development needs.
So far, crews have installed nearly 6,000 linear feet of new 78-inch storm pipe, one of the largest utility components of the project. The final 300 feet and two large structures were completed at the end of September, representing major progress toward long-term drainage improvements.
“Projects like this one on U.S. 35 show what’s possible when local, state, and federal partners stay focused. It’s real progress for LaPorte County,” stated State Representative Jim Pressel. “As someone who drives this stretch often, I know how important it is. Reaching the half-way mark is a big win for LaPorte residents and the region.”
Keeping Traffic Moving in a Busy Corridor
U.S. 35 serves as one of La Porte’s main commuter and commercial arteries, connecting neighborhoods to downtown businesses, manufacturing centers, and logistics routes across northern Indiana. Maintaining access while rebuilding the roadway has required extensive coordination and traffic control measures.
“Nobody likes road construction when it impacts their commute, but these improvements will modernize LaPorte,” said Matt Aquino, Project Manager for F.H. Paschen. “Upgrading La Porte’s infrastructure while keeping the city moving has been a major focus. We’re making steady progress and appreciate the partnership of INDOT, the City, and the community’s patience.”
A Federal-Backed Investment in Regional Growth
The City of La Porte secured nearly $1 million in federal funds to support the project — underscoring the importance of U.S. 35 for freight mobility, workforce access, and future economic development.
Local leaders say the improvements will not only reduce travel bottlenecks but encourage new business investment as La Porte continues to grow.
With winter approaching, F.H. Paschen crews will transition into weather-resilient phases of construction including utility tie-ins and pavement base work, before fully resuming road reconstruction next spring.
The city will continue to provide traffic updates to keep drivers informed through the remainder of the project.
Originally reported by FH Paschen.
