Officials are breaking ground this morning [10am]  for the Taft Street Drainage improvement project in Merrillville, with a ceremony at the proposed south detention pond site just south of 73^rd and east of Taft Street. Merrillville Stormwater Utility Executive Director Matt Lake says this is a major project that will include the creation of two detention ponds -- one just east of south 73rd and Taft and the other just east of 69th Avenue and Taft Street.  Lake says the project will alleviate flooding on Taft Street and areas of the Independence Hill subdivision. The pond areas will include native plants and naturalized wetland habitats.  Construction is scheduled to begin this Monday.  Residents of the affected ares and the public are welcome to attend the groundbreaking ceremonies.

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