By FRED SWIFT
The County Line
A final step toward construction of the new Pleasant Street bridge over White River will be taken Monday. County Commissioners in regular session will sign off on plans that call for the $16 million bridge, the link in the Pleasant Street Corridor, bypassing downtown Noblesville.
The county, under state law, is responsible for building major bridges anywhere in the county. The county and city of Noblesville are cooperating on the east-west corridor project. The city will bid Phase 1 of the overall project in mid-September. Utility relocation will begin this fall.
Phase 1 extends from South 10th Street to River Road with the vital link being the bridge, a 644-foot-long span. It is probably the longest such structure undertaken in Hamilton County, according to Highway Director Brad Davis. (Editor’s note: The 146th Street bridge over White River is four lanes, while the Pleasant Street bridge will be three lanes.) The bridge will include a multi-use path as part of the Midland Trace Trail.
The second phase of the city’s project will take the new corridor west and north to meet Hague Road at State Road 32. Phase III will involve improvements to existing Pleasant Street from 10th Street to State Road 37.
On Aug. 3, the Hamilton County Council will hold a public hearing on a proposed $47 million bond to finance the bridge, along with other bridge improvements including the planned interchange bridge at 146th and Allisonville Road. That project is scheduled to start in the spring of 2023.
Another county project may take a step forward Monday when commissioners consider approval of a master plan design contract for upgrading the 4-H fairgrounds. Mussett, Nicholas and Associates will work with The Veridus Group in designing new facilities and renovating some others as well as planning for more parking and other improvements at the 4-H fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville.
The County Plan Commission will offer a new Unified Development Code for rural areas covered by Hamilton County zoning. Planning Director CJ Taylor will present the code, approved by the Plan Commission.
In a related issue, commissioners will consider a recommendation from the plan commission that calls for denial of a solar farm in the northeastern part of the county.
A Chicago-area firm, Doran Renewables, has proposed placing thousands of solar panels on tracts of leased ground. The plan met opposition from area farmers. Doran is also asking for tax abatements.
County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt said the county does not oppose solar energy, and in fact has been a leader in using this source of energy, but the scope of the Doran plan exceeds local expectations and offers no property tax benefit.