Maki calls for major changes to 146th Street

Submitted by Friends of Sue Maki

Hamilton County Council candidate Sue Maki is calling for major changes to what she calls one of the most dangerous stretches of roadway in all of Central Indiana – 146th Street from River Road to U.S. 31, a stretch of four-lane roadway that has been the scene of several fatalities and major accidents in the past decade.

Studies show that five of the top two dozen “most dangerous” intersections in the Metro Indy area are in Hamilton County, according to the November 2019 study by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization. Out of those five, four are on the 146th Street corridor, a street that is under Hamilton County’s jurisdiction.

Not much attention has been given to this recent study; probably because it is nothing new. Local commuters and residents will tell you that 146th Street has been a congested nightmare for many years.

Maki, a resident of Hamilton County for 30 years, has seen how smart, innovative solutions in intersection design along other dangerous roadways like U.S. 31 and Keystone Parkway has helped drastically reduce fatal and personal injury accidents. She is vowing to support changes to 146th Street, which has become a nightmare for commuters from Fishers to Carmel, Noblesville to Westfield.

“I have heard from so many people who hate 146th Street because it has become so congested and dangerous at each intersection … they are asking why Hamilton County hasn’t done something to fix this problem,” said Maki. “I am in support of major changes to this thoroughfare, which is only going to get busier as we continue to attract more people and businesses to our community.”

Maki is seeking public input into this issue by creating a “hashtag” on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for local residents to voice their opinion. Please use #FIX146 to let her know of your personal experiences on this roadway.

“Although our Hamilton County Commissioners have been proactive in this matter, the fact is that some members of the County Council have been unwilling to invest in much needed improvements,” said Maki. “It is sad that our current Council continues to delay when it comes to supporting much-needed improvements to our infrastructure and our public safety need. If I am elected, I vow to support major improvements to a corridor that is becoming increasingly dangerous. I will support changes to each intersection from the River Road to U.S. 31, as long as it improves safety and traffic flow, and also protects residential homeowners in the area.”

Maki is already working with neighboring city officials about this issue. It is clear that all four of the communities that share the 146th Street border are in favor of making it safer for commuters and residents.

“It is important to remember that some of our current County Council members have rejected public safety concerns in the past,” said Maki, who added “Specifically, I am referring to the emergency training facility, which was endorsed by every city and town with the promise of financial assistance, only to be rejected by a short-sighted vote.

Maki is asking anyone impacted by the 146th Street daily dilemma to please share by tagging #FIX146 so she can take this message to voters this May and November.