The Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization recently awarded $61.5 million in federal funding for projects that will go to bid in State Fiscal Year 2022 or 2023. The City of Noblesville received $3,567,459 in funding for two trail projects.
Ditslear
“Each project will modernize their corridors to ease access and increase safety for walkers, runners and recreational bicycles,” said Mayor John Ditslear. “These are great projects for the city’s downtown and northwest areas – and ones that will save the city considerably thanks to the MPO grants.”
Stony Creek Multi-Use Path under State Road 37
This would be a pedestrian tunnel under SR 37. This project will link residential areas on the east and west sides of SR 37 in Noblesville. This project also would be a first as presently, there is no grade separated crossing for pedestrians and bicyclists in Hamilton County on SR 37 north of Interstate 69.
Little Chicago Road Pedestrian Bridge over Morse Reservoir
The project will extend the Little Chicago Road Trail that was built last year north to and across Morse Reservoir to existing trail networks. It will link more than 900 residential homes for access to public areas on Morse Reservoir and Downtown Noblesville.
As part of an annual process, this year’s funding recipients were selected from a highly competitive pool, with awarded projects falling into at least one of four funding categories: Safety, air quality, transportation alternatives and surface transportation. Each funded project requires a local match and for its two projects, Noblesville will match $1,028,407 – $700,706 for the pedestrian bridge and $327,701 for the path under SR 37. Each Noblesville project has the opportunity to be expedited or moved forward by the MPO, depending on the availability of funds and approval.
The Indianapolis MPO encompasses 1,520 square miles and includes eight counties and 31 cities and towns. The MPO’s annual process includes a call for projects in which public agencies respond. The MPO staff reviews submitted projects and makes recommendations to the administrative, technical, and policy committees of the Indianapolis Regional Transportation Council, which oversees the MPO.
“This funding will help local governments address the ongoing challenges of building and maintaining the infrastructure that is so critical to the regional and state economies,” said Anna Gremling, executive director of the Indianapolis MPO.