PORTAGE | The Redevelopment Commission on Wednesday authorized Mayor Olga Velazquez and City Engineer Craig Hendrix to work with the Indiana Department of Transportation to clean up the intersection of U.S. 20 and Ind. 249.

"It is just a bunch of tumbleweeds and dirt," said Velazquez.

Specifically targeted for clean up is the street-level median north of U.S. 20 on Ind. 249. Often, southbound cars cut over the median to access a gas station at the northeast corner of the intersection.

"I'm concerned because it is an entrance to the city," said Velazquez.

Hendrix said the area is sprayed with weed killer once a year.

Options could be to build up the median and either let it remain concrete or construct a planter that could have directional signs.

Hendrix said he previously talked to INDOT about the situation, but there was no resolution to the issue. While the intersection is state jurisdiction, the city could enter into an agreement with the state, much like it has done for U.S. 6, to maintain the area.