Noblesville officials have broken ground on the third phase of the Midland Trace Trail, a 12-foot wide multi-use path that will connect Willowview Road east to Hague Road. Construction of the 0.9-mile section will be completed this summer.
“Since the Midland Trace Trail was started two years ago, it has quickly become a frequently used, family-friendly amenity. This trail is especially important as it connects Noblesville directly with our neighbors in Westfield and the Monon Trail to Carmel and Indianapolis,” said Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear.
The Midland Trace Trail runs along the abandoned “Midland” Central Indiana Railway corridor (approximately 0.2 mile south of State Road 32). Phase I extended Westfield’s portion of the Midland Trace across Gray Road to Hazel Dell Road in 2017. This portion of the Midland Trace Trail also provided a connection with the Little Chicago Road Trail and included a trailhead on Hazel Dell Road with restrooms, water fountain, parking lot, benches, a bike repair and air station and Zagster Bike Share.
Last year, Phase II extended the trail east to Willowview Road. Future plans included a fourth phase that will connect with the potential Pleasant Street extension from Hague Road to cross Cicero Creek and the White River and beyond State Road 37.
“We’re excited to build off the success of the past two years and make this phase available to residents a year ahead of schedule,” said Ditslear. “Once Phase III is completed, the Noblesville portion of the trail will extend 3.4 miles east from Westfield.”
Phase III also accomplishes one of the goals of the Noblesville NOW Capital Improvement Plan to improve pedestrian infrastructure. Midland Trace is the second major trail project the city has begun in 2019. Levee Trail broke ground last week and Riverwalk Phase IV will start later this month. Noblesville will surpass 100 total miles of trails in the city this year.