Eric Farny of American Structurepoint talks about engineering plans for the State Road 37 project. (Photo provided by Larry Lannan)
The State Road 37 upgrade project is moving full speed ahead, with 40% of the design work already completed. There may be some lane restrictions this spring and summer, but the construction will get underway in earnest during July of 2018 and should be complete by fall of 2020.
As the plans stand now, two lanes of traffic will be maintained north and south along State Road 37 in Fishers, with a few lane restrictions occasionally. The first two interchanges to be constructed will be 141st and 131st Streets. East-West traffic will be blocked as each bridge is constructed. Once the first two interchanges are complete, 126th and 146th Street interchanges will be built.
One contentious issue over drainage along 141st Street was resolved by routing the drainage north to 146th Street, then routed west from SR37.
Traffic engineers say they will be watching traffic flows carefully as the construction begins. Once officials see where the motorists are detouring, adjustments can be made. Temporary traffic signals and stop signs are just two of the tools available to handle traffic overflows during construction.
Traffic Engineer Troy Woodruff cautioned those at the Tuesday night meeting that these are the plans for now…there could be changes as design work and data are evaluated.
An environmental impact hearing will be conducted on May 16th, 6pm, at Fishers High School. Citizens may testify and ask questions, but officials will not be able to answer those questions on the spot, the answers will come in writing later.
The State Road 37 improvement project will cost $124 million, with $100 million from the state and $12 million each from the City of Fishers and Hamilton County. Fishers is in charge of the construction phase. The project calls for underpasses along State Road 37, and access ramps and roundabouts for the Fishers intersections. The design will be much like the Keystone Avenue project in Carmel.