Noblesville receives $1.6 million federal grant for planning of White River Pedestrian Bridge Project

Submitted by City of Noblesville

The City of Noblesville announced on Friday it received a $1,599,999.20 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Grant Program to begin the planning process to build the White River Pedestrian Bridge, increasing accessibility for residents in the surrounding neighborhood.

The grant will enable the city to conduct essential design, engineering, and planning initiatives to address a significant community disconnection along the White River historically caused by State Roads 32 and 19 in Noblesville’s downtown core.

With the support of the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority (CIRDA), Applied Research Institute (ARI), and MKSK consultants, city officials submitted a grant application to USDOT for the White River Pedestrian Bridge Project requesting the amount of $1,602,249. The White River Pedestrian Bridge Project aims to enhance accessibility for residents living south of downtown and east of the White River by providing a safe, direct, and efficient route across the White River. This bridge will connect these residents to essential daily services, including jobs, education, healthcare, food, and recreation, and will significantly improve quality of life and promote social opportunities.

The city and its consultants are advancing concepts as part of the ongoing West Gateway Master Plan process. This pedestrian bridge project was a highly recommended improvement for access and connectivity, despite the high capital cost, the residents felt that this would have a significant impact. The vision for this project is to create a “bridge” physically and culturally across the White River to allow for a more cohesive, connected Noblesville. This project endeavors to advance equitable connectivity in Downtown Noblesville from Justice 40 neighborhoods in the core to the West Gateway, including safe access to the Federal Hill District, Riverview Hospital, pediatric and dental services, pharmacies, and Kroger.

The grant application received letters of support from the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority, the Indy Chamber, Hamilton County Plan Commission, Hamilton County Area Neighborhood Development (HAND), Hamilton County Tourism, and Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen.

“The City of Noblesville is deeply committed to advancing thoughtful development and fostering comprehensive, vibrant communities,” Mayor Jensen said. “By working with our residents and stakeholders through a transparent and collaborative process, we will ensure that the outcomes of this grant will positively and equitably impact current and future generations. I appreciate the United States Department of Transportation for awarding this grant to the City of Noblesville to invest in the future of our community and help reach our goal of connectivity and accessibility for all.”

“ARI was thrilled to be able to contribute to this project as part of our new initiative, Opportunity Indiana,” said Michelle Dennis, Director of Proposal Management with ARI. “Piloting this effort with the City of Noblesville and its partners by providing pro-bono project management and grant writing services – and securing a win – speaks both to ARI’s federal funding expertise and the important work being done by Noblesville. We’re excited to help other Indiana communities in their grant pursuits.”

“This project is a perfect example of how CIRDA brings together ideas, support, and resources in a capital collision to develop projects that deliver a regional impact,” said Sarah Reed, White River Technical Committee Chair. “This is the first step in a process to secure federal investment that will help move the needle on the goal to foster accessible connections and recreational opportunities along the White River watershed.”

Mayor Jensen, a U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) Advisory Board Member, recently spoke on a panel at the USCM 93rd Winter Meeting about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and its impact in Noblesville, including Noblesville receiving USDOT Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program and Safe Streets and Roads for All grants.