INDIANAPOLIS — This month, there is a new push to add pedestrian bridges over two busy stretches of Marion County. It will help those who use the Monon Trail in Nora and the soon-to-be Nickel Plate Trail in Castleton.
Two Indianapolis councilors are behind the effort and are working with the Department of Public Works to apply for federal grants.
Right now, the Monon Trail is separated by four lanes of traffic at 86th Street, and the future expansion of the Nickel Plate Trail will be separated by six lanes of traffic at 82nd Street.
“It’s so bad. It’s so dangerous. Every time I come over here, I feel like I’m going to get hit. Nobody is looking. Nobody is paying attention,” said Katie Obbagy regarding the crossing at 86th Street.
“Every time, I kind of stare them down to make sure they are looking,” Liz Kyzr said.
These bicyclists are just two of the people 13News met Tuesday who shared their countless close calls at the intersection.
“But not everybody is that fortunate,” Kyzr said.
Two years ago, local bicyclist Frank Radaker was hit and killed at the intersection. A memorial for him remains on 86th Street.
Since then, "no turn on red" signs were added traffic studies were done, curbs were bumped out and cameras were added. But many believe that’s not enough.
“I don’t want to be a statistic,” Linda Richardson said.
Richardson refuses to cross 86th Street on her daily walks, saying there has to be a safer way.
“What will it cost? Couple of million?” Richardson asked.
City leaders hope federal grant money will be the answer. Applications are being submitted to a grant called the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP).
Before sending the application, councilors Nick Roberts and Brienne Delaney are asking the community to send letters of support explaining why the pedestrian bridges are needed.
“The more people that can share their voice on it, the better," Roberts said. "So we are really looking to get community advocates, business owners, neighbor leaders to give us their letters of support so we can show in our grant process application that there is a lot of support."
The letters need to be submitted by June 13. You can email them to Nicholas.Roberts@indy.gov and brienne.delaney2@indy.gov.