NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — The State Road 37 corridor in Hamilton County is bustling during the daytime.
INDOT said it sees an average of 30,000-35,000 vehicles a day on the highway. Drivers in Noblesville have developed their own ways of dealing with it.
"We learned to gauge when we drive on 37. Not during rush hour. We avoid that morning and evening time, just because we can get around so much easier, but there's always a lot of traffic," said Mel Carpenter.
According to INDOT, SR 37 has a higher crash frequency than similar corridors throughout the state. In fact, there were been nearly 400 crashes in the area between 2016 and 2019.
That is why INDOT and the city of Noblesville are focusing on improving the corridor before it gets worse.
"There are mobility issues with the level of service to the intersection. We are seeing a lot of crashes. We are also seeing a lack of pedestrian connectivity and a big need for it," said INDOT project manager Jennifer Beck.
They laid it all out during a SR 37 improvement project information meeting on Wednesday. The meeting was the first phase of the project. Beck said this is the best time to get everyone's input.
Carpenter said he's encouraged to hear that a lot of people involved in the project are from Hamilton County and he's eager to get started.
"The thing that will make it better is get it done sooner. The traffic is not getting better, it's getting worse. It's a wonderful growing community," he said.
Omar Khan is a business owner whose family founded The Weston School.
He said a lot of their parents use SR 37 and he wanted to see how the work will impact them and his business.
"If we can minimize the time it takes to do the construction that's one factor. The other factor is, what kind of construction? Is it going to be a better way for people to get into our businesses? Or is it going to leave our businesses in an area that's not easily accessible? That in of itself can be a big detriment to the business," said Khan.
But he said he's excited to know traffic can improve in the area.
"It's really about a public-private partnership and making sure it's a good impactful project for the entire community," said Khan.
And they want to be a part of that.
Right now, there's no specific timeline for construction. There are plans for more of these meetings with stakeholders in Noblesville next year.
If you want to share your input with INDOT or the city, visit INDOT's website.
Leaders are asking for feedback through Jan. 10.