By DENISE MOE & JEFF JELLISON
Commissioner Steve Dillinger laid out Hamilton County’s top priorities in 2021 at the annual State of the County address on Tuesday.
Dillinger discussed several infrastructure projects, including the State Road 37 project.
“The pandemic struck shortly after the State of the County last year,” Dillinger said. “It didn’t seem possible then that any of these projects could have come to fruition during the lockdown, but we have a host of amazing accomplishments to celebrate as we come out of this difficult time.”
Much of Dillinger’s presentation included information on the State Road 37 project.
(From left) Nickel Plate Express Executive Director Dagny Zupin, Noblesville Common Council member Darren Peterson, Fishers City Council member Cecilia Coble, and Fishers City Council President Selina Stoller. (Reporter photo by Denise Moe)
“The State Road 37 Project has required a lot of governmental teamwork between Hamilton County, Fishers, Noblesville, and the Indiana Department of Transportation,” he said. “I have to give a lot of credit to the contractors on this. They didn’t slow down traffic much on 37, and it is a big project. They are doing a terrific job.”
According to Dillinger, the cost of the recently completed 126th Street intersection was approximately $22 million, and the cost of the 146th Street intersection will be about $30 million once completed.
Future work on the 37 Project will include a $30 million revamp of 131st and 135th streets, and reconstructing the 141st Street intersection at a cost of $24 million.
Dillinger then described a $29 million 146th Street and Allisonville Road improvement project that is expected to be completed in 2024, as well as the current improvements being made to 146th Street from Allisonville Road to the Boone/Hamilton County line.
(From left) County Parks & Recreation Director Chris Stice, County Council member Sue Maki, and Becca Counen, an intern with the County Council. (Reporter photo by Denise Moe)
Other road projects discussed included the Pleasant Street bypass in Noblesville, for which the county will fund two bridges across Cicero Creek and White River, the installation of roundabouts at River Road and State Road 32, a roundabout at State Road 32 and State Road 38 directly in front of Riverview Hospital, a roundabout at State Road 38 and Logan Street, a roundabout at State Road 32 and Mill Creek Road, and finally a roundabout at State Road 38 and Oakmont Drive.
Other infrastructure projects discussed were the Logan Street bridge, Carrigan Road bridge, and a 475-space county-owned parking garage currently being built one block north of the Government and Judicial Center at 8th and Clinton streets in Noblesville.
Moving away from infrastructure, Dillinger announced the county’s participation in a new women’s domestic violence shelter and a career achievement center for skilled trades.
Denise, we don’t know what your Post-it note means, but you’re always a winner to The Reporter! (Reporter photo by Denise Moe)
According to Dillinger, the county has approved $14,000 for the design of Prevail’s new domestic violence shelter.
Prevail provides crisis intervention and restorative support services for adult, adolescent and child survivors of crime and abuse.
“Prevail served 3,783 clients in 2020 and unfortunately eight Hamilton County residents died as a result of domestic violence during the same year,” Dillinger said.
Dillinger announced that a $425,000 grant by the county will fund the first 2 ½ years of the Career Achievement Center for high school students studying skilled trades. The Center will be a partnership with local high schools, Ivy Tech and local businesses.
Dillinger concluded his State of the County address by announcing Hamilton County has been awarded a AAA bond rating, and the recently installed county solar project saved taxpayers $1,094,000 in energy bills for county buildings during 2020.