Talk:U.S. Route 12 in Indiana/Dunes Highway

Google Maps shows Dunes Highway continuing west from I-65 to the one-way pair. It also shows it continuing east from the county line, where US 12 turns north, to Woodlawn Avenue and Sheridan Avenue. Presumably the aptly named Chicago Street was part of it. Any idea exactly where its termini were? --SPUI (T - C) 21:39, 10 July 2006 (UTC)

Historical termini? No idea. I've driven this stretch a few times, and here's what I know...

1.) The northern terminus of I-65 is marked U.S. 12/20 East/West, with 12/20 west going to Gary and 12/20 East marked as the Dunes Highway. They split a few miles east rather uneventfully, and are 4th and 5th Street through Gary; not a prime candidate for Dunes Highway.

2.) Indiana 312 is Chicago Avenue, which goes to Brainard Avenue (rather abruptly ending as a state route) and then to Torrence Avenue, which seems to figure prominently regarding historical routes; U.S. 20 went along Torrence Avenue (now just U.S. 6/IL 83), while U.S. 12 took 95th Street out of Chicago. (see [1]). Can't prove it, but wouldn't be surprised if Chicago/Brainard/Torrence Avenue was a relief road for U.S. 12 back then as U.S. 20.

3.) This area is heavily built up with industry and petroleum tanks everywhere. The actual original route of U.S. 12 may be long gone and only recoverable via maps. U.S. 12 becomes the Industrial Highway east of East Chicago for this reason. —Rob (talk) 02:48, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

Several early maps [2] [3] [4] [5] all show US 12/US 20/US 41 crossing the state line where they do now. --SPUI (T - C) 13:11, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

Dunes Highway was SR 43 - [6] --SPUI (T - C) 21:44, 10 July 2006 (UTC)

Also note that US 20 was built as the Dunes Relief Road - also called Gary-Michigan City Highway (on Google maps near Michigan City). --SPUI (T - C) 22:11, 10 July 2006 (UTC)

earlier configuration in Michigan City --SPUI (T - C) 10:50, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

1930s map - shows the Dunes Highway on present US 20 west from Gary (at least to SR 152) while US 12 and US 20 are both on the Industrial Highway (present US 12) --SPUI (T - C) 12:13, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

Present SR 152 and US 20 into Illinois already existed in 1897, so that's likely where it ended. --SPUI (T - C) 12:26, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

Ohohohoho 1919 description:

Description of Route.

Beginning at the intersection of Indiana Boulevard with the line between the State of Illinois and the State of Indiana, thence running in a southeasterly direction along said boulevard to One Hundred and Twenty-ninth street; thence running east along said, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth street to Dickel place; thence south along on Dickel place to Michigan avenue, thence east on One Hundred and Thirty-fifth street to Guthrie street to Cline avenue; thence south on Cline avenue to Fifth avenue (Gary) continuing to Aetna. From Aetna to Miller on the Gary-Aetna road; thence easterly along Michigan avenue and Lincoln street to the Lake and Porter county lines; thence following in a general way the line of the old Detroit Chicago road, (with such changes and deviations, in the alignment thereof, as may be beneficial to the proposed highway in the elimination of grade crossings and other economic features) to the intersections of west Tenth street in Michigan City; thence running east along said Tenth street to Franklin street; thence running north on Franklin street to Second street; thence east on Second street to the Highway known as the Grand Beach road; thence following said Grand Beach road in an easterly direction to the intersection of said road with the line between the states of Indiana and Michigan.

Description of Proposed Branch from Michigan City to Bootjack.

Beginning at the intersection of Franklin street, and Tenth street, Michigan City; thence running east along said Tenth street to the intersection of said Tenth street to the intersection of said Tenth street with the Michigan road; thence running in a southeasterly direction following the Michigan road to the intersection of said Michigan road with the highway known as the Lincoln highway at Bootjack.

West of Gary this was actually the Industrial Highway, at least on the 1930s map. Bootjack is Rolling Prairie - where US 20 and SR 2 now bump. --SPUI (T - C) 12:52, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

Bridge dates

Combined US 12 and US 20

• 1996 under Hammond Marina Drive
• 1987 over Lake George Canal

US 12 through East Chicago and Gary

• 1996 over Indiana Harbor Canal
• 1994 over Kennedy Avenue
• 1994 over EJ&E, Conrail and Carey Street
• 1936 under EJ&E
• 2001 over Grand Calumet River
• 1936 over NICTD
• 1936 over Conrail and NS

US 20 through East Chicago. Hammond and Gary

• 1926 over Grand Calumet River
• 1956 under NICTD
• 1934 over Kennedy Avenue and IHB

Combined US 12 and US 20 through Gary

• 1935 under railroad

US 12

• 1928 over CSX
• 1928 over Hobart Road
• 1970 over Burns Ditch
• 2000 under SR 249
• 1968 over railroad
• 1930 under SR 49
• 1991 over Trail Creek in Michigan City

Not very useful actually. Either US 12 or US 20 could have been it west from Gary. --SPUI (T - C) 11:39, 11 July 2006 (UTC)