INDIANAPOLIS — There's growing concern from neighbors living on the north side over a DPW street project.
The plan would include more room for cyclists but limit where you can park.
Soon, you'll no longer be able to park on the west side of North Pennsylvania Street, between East 46th Street and Westfield Boulevard.
Some neighbors are frustrated because the city never told them about the project before it was finalized.
"We still would like to understand why this location has been chosen, what research has proven that this is the safest and logical place to put a bike lane," said Emma Clust, with the Meridian Kessler Neighborhood Association.
Clust has questions when it comes to this new DPW road project.
"We've never been spoken to by DPW themselves, so all we've heard is just rumors from neighbors with concerns," Clust said.
DPW is adding five miles of bike lanes, increasing safety and connectivity within the neighborhood.
But Clust believes bike lanes will impact businesses, specifically at 49th and Pennsylvania streets.
"Many of these businesses have parking variances that took into the consideration the availability of on-street parking, so if that changes, we want to be sure that those variances and agreements have been taken into account," Clust said.
Other neighbors in the area told 13News off-camera they have mixed feelings about the lanes.
DPW said resurfacing along this stretch should begin next month, followed by the restriping and adding of bike lanes in October or November.
DPW sent the following statement:
"As part of project ST-24-109, Indy DPW will add a two-way cycle track along the west side of Pennsylvania Street between 38th Street and Westfield Boulevard, with work expected to begin later this year. This project will add five miles of bike lanes to our network, immediately increasing safety and connectivity within the neighborhood.
Mayor Hogsett’s five-year, $1.2 billion capital plan is delivering critical investment in Indianapolis’ infrastructure. This year, Indy DPW will construct:
- 134,797 linear feet of new and rehabbed sidewalks
- 93,305 linear feet of new trails
- 2,232 new ADA ramps
- 243 lane miles of new or rehabbed streets
- 42,281 linear feet of new storm sewers
- 19 bridge rehabilitation projects
- 21 miles of bike lane created
23 lane miles of strip patching
Through the Complete Streets ordinance and the proposed Vision Zero ordinance, Indy DPW remains committed to bringing multi-modal transportation options to Indianapolis residents, as well as protecting vulnerable road users."