INDIANAPOLIS — Nearly 170 landowners are getting money as part of a settlement for the Nickel Plate Trail under construction in Marion and Hamilton counties.
Law firm Stewart, Wald & Smith has reached a $7.6 million settlement for the 168 landowners along the 20.87 miles of the former Norfolk and Western railroad, which goes just south of East 16th Street in Indianapolis to just west of the White River in Noblesville.
The law firm told 13News the checks are in the mail, and the landowners will be getting between four and six figures.
"It's unfortunate the government doesn't tell people they own the land in the rail corridor," said Steven Wald, lawyer for Stewart, Wald & Smith.
Wald explained that for a homeowner to find out if they own the land used in a closed railroad, they would have to research easement documents from the 1800s. Wald said at least 100 landowners along the Nickel Plate Trail were not part of the settlement because they didn't know until the law firm told them.
The law firm said an additional 175 landowners are continuing to pursue similar claims against the federal government in multiple cases regarding the Nickel Plate Trail.
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works said construction finished earlier than expected on Fall Creek Parkway near the Indiana State Fairgrounds, and all lanes were back open as of Wednesday, April 24.
The work started April 19 between 38th Street and Keystone Avenue and was expected to last until May.
The $15 million investment is broken into three phases.
“We are obviously in that phase one portion of moving further north where we can start phase two and phase three of the Nickel Plate Trail as we push forward,” said Corey Ohlenkamp, a spokesperson with Indy DPW.
Indy DPW said future full road closures will have established detours, and advance warning signs will be placed a minimum of two weeks prior to closing. Any work that does not require a full closure will be performed with barrels and flaggers as needed if the work extends into any intersections.
The trail is expected to be done in spring 2025, but Indy DPW said weather will play a big part in that.
You can find more information and updates on construction here.
