INDIANAPOLIS — A chain link fence now lines a portion of Broad Ripple Avenue as the city starts on its multi-million-dollar project to improve the street, sidewalks and drainage.
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works began the first phase of construction Tuesday that stretches east of the Winthrop Avenue intersection to Guilford Avenue.
Broad Ripple Avenue will remain closed in the area until the first phase is completed in December. During construction this fall, traffic will be able to cross Broad Ripple Avenue on Guilford Avenue. Traffic traveling east-west will be detoured to Kessler Boulevard.
“It definitely caught me off-guard. I had to find a parking spot behind another business,” said Jamie Riley, who drove to downtown Broad Ripple Wednesday night. “I didn’t even realize the sidewalk was open. I had to look for that.”
Many visiting the village are finding new ways to navigate the long-awaited closure.
“You’ll just have to stick to the trail for the shops down there for the time being,” said Ayla Heffern.
Businesses stuck in the middle of the closure are also hoping the construction mess won’t keep customers away.
“We are definitely a little concerned with people not having access to street parking. We get calls asking if we are open. 'Can we come in the front door?'” said Bailey Rennick, manager of Union Jack Pub.
Recently, Union Jack Pub moved across the street and opened a brand new patio.
“Hopefully people can still come out in the evening and enjoy a couple of drinks and look at their friends and not the road,” Rennick said.
It’s an ugly inconvenience that many hope will pay off in the long run.
“I think it will help Broad Ripple a lot,” Rennick said.
All businesses along Broad Ripple Avenue will remain open during the construction, with access to sidewalks along the street. The DPW has also worked with the Broad Ripple Village Association, along with rideshare and delivery drivers to set up a designated pickup and drop-off zone for rideshares and food delivery parking.
Those zones can be seen on this map.
Crews will begin the second phase of the $8.4 million project, which will improve the street and drainage, in the spring. The spring construction will take place from east of Guilford Avenue to College Avenue.