INDIANAPOLIS — Each year Indy DPW announced new projects to improve roadways, rehabilitate bridges, enhance pedestrian safety, and improve storm water infrastructure.
Construction projects in this year's capital plan include:
- 33,807 linear feet of new sidewalk
- 37,460 linear feet of rehabbed sidewalk
- 10,162 linear feet of new trails
- 855 new ADA ramps
- 157.6 lane miles of street rehabilitation
- 30,473 linear feet of new storm sewers
- 11 bridge projects, including 3 new bridges and 8 bridge rehabilitation projects
"This year we're putting a total of $167 million toward 2021 construction season projects across the city that will improve roadways, sidewalks, storm water infrastructure and so much more," said Mayor Joe Hogsett. "As a reminder, construction means improvement, but it also means the occasional inconvenience. I encourage all residents to be considerate and slow down for our construction teams."
That's a lot of money but some city councilors insist the city deserves more and blame what they call an unfair state funding formula.
"One lane roads in Henry county get the same amount of money as 6 lane roads on 38th street do per mile. You can do the math. It is woefully underfunded for urban areas in our state," said Councilor Dan Boots, (D-District 3).
Councilor LeKeisha Jackson, (D-District 14) said neighborhoods in her far east side district will benefit from the improvements.
"We know that with major infrastructure comes major growth. It improves beautification and they say also decreases crime which is a huge area in some of the areas we are developing in," Jackson said.
The bulk of the money, $124.9 million, will go toward transportation projects. Major construction projects expected to begin in 2021 include:
- The rehabilitation of the Kessler Boulevard bridge over the White River. This $6.2 million investment extends the life of the five-span bridge that hasn't been rehabilitated in over 25 years. This project also includes new sidewalks and street lighting.
- Storm drainage improvements in the Brendonridge neighborhood. The $2.2 million investment will alleviate flash flooding and ponding water concerns throughout the neighborhood.
- The second and final phase of the Fall Creek Trail expansion. This $2.7 million investment will connect with the Fall Creek Trail Phase 1 project at Burdsal Parkway to the White River Trail at Indiana Avenue. This project includes a new pedestrian bridge across Fall Creek, high visibility crosswalks, and a separated multi-use path along Montcalm Street. Once complete, the Fall Creek Greenway will provide a regional connection from Downtown Indianapolis to Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park.
- A two-lane roundabout at the Southeastern Avenue and Rural Street intersection. Also included in this $9.2 million investment is street rehabilitation for Southeastern Avenue and other surrounding streets, additional sidewalks and ADA ramps, a multi-use path, and bike lanes.