Fishers unveils plans for 96th Street bridge along Nickel Plate Trail

Bridge is part of city’s efforts to grow trail system & enhance pedestrian connectivity

The City of Fishers is preparing for construction on the pedestrian bridge over 96th Street this fall. The bridge will connect the Fishers portion of the Nickel Plate Trail to Indianapolis, where trail construction is underway and is expected to conclude spring 2025.

The new pedestrian bridge, which will provide trail users with a safe crossing over 96th Street, is funded by Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s Next Level Trails Grant program. The bridge will consist of concrete arches with cables supporting the bridge deck and will be enhanced with multi-colored LED lighting as well as logos for Fishers, Indianapolis, Nickel Plate Trail, and Andretti. The northern and southern ends of the bridge will feature a retaining wall approach. Construction is anticipated to begin later this year, with an anticipated opening date of fall 2025.

The Fishers section of the Nickel Plate Trail stretches from just north of 96th Street to 146th Street. With the installation of the bridge, the trail will continue south to 42nd Street in Indianapolis and connect with the Monon Trail. On the northern end of Fishers at 146th Street, the Nickel Plate Trail extends nearly three miles into downtown Noblesville, where it connects with the Midland Trace Trail. When fully completed, the Nickel Plate Trail will offer 17.8 miles of natural beauty and outdoor recreation in eastern Hamilton and Marion County while connecting to more than 50 miles of regional trails.

The City of Fishers is two years into implementing its Next Chapter plan to invest in outdoor recreation and enhance its existing 120 miles of trails and more than 800 acres of parkland. Earlier this year the City debuted the Geist Greenway, a five-mile pedestrian trail from 104th Street to 126th Street in east Fishers. In collaboration with Hamilton County, the historic Bell Ford Bridge from Seymour, Indiana, will provide a safe crossing over Fall Creek at Geist Park beginning next spring.

The Fishers Department of Public Works team is also working to enhance trail amenities and address existing gaps in Fishers’ trail system. Recently, the small gravel trailhead at 106th Street and the Nickel Plate Trail was replaced with a larger paved lot to offer easier access to the trail and Cheeney Creek Natural Area. Construction has recently concluded on a new sidewalk on the west side of Lantern Road from Pullman Pointe to south of Morgan Drive, improving pedestrian connectivity to downtown Fishers.

Along with these efforts, Fishers has launched an interactive Trails Dashboard to help residents navigate the city’s trail system and provide real-time updates on improvements and future connections. The dashboard is available at FishersIN.gov/Trails.