INDIANAPOLIS — The year 2020 will be remembered for many things on the negative side. But one of the positives is the number of Indianapolis trail projects completed this year.
Tuesday, Mayor Joe Hogsett and other city officials cut a ribbon at the spot where the Central Canal Towpath and the Fall Creek Trail come together.
In all, 11 trails and greenway projects underwent construction this year. "Today, we come together to celebrate extensive improvements to our city greenways," said Hogsett. " This year DPW and Indy parks completed 11 major projects, over 50,000 feet of new trails, three new pedestrian bridges and much more."
"At a time when bike sales have spiked to their highest levels in decades, and when more city residents are exploring their city on foot, these improvements could not come at a better time," said the mayor. "Many of today's improvements build on earlier trails, meaning that the total distances covered by these greenways are truly enormous, and are a county-wide upgrade."
The city provided a list of the projects:
- Extension of the Central Canal Towpath from 29th Street to 16th Street.
- Phase one of a two-part extension of the Fall Creek Trail is also expected to be completed next month. This $2.7 million project expanded the trail from Burdsal Boulevard/Central Canal to Meridian Street/Fall Creek.
- Phases 3A and 3B of Pennsy Trail, connecting Shortridge Road to German Church Road
- Fall Creek Trail and 38th Street Extension
- Johnson Road Trail
- Pleasant Run Greenway Trail enhancements
- Monon Bridge over 38th Street
- Fall Creek Trail rehab
- Cold Spring Road Multimodal path
- Newsfields Multipurpose path
In all, about $20 million was spent on these project, according to the city.
Projects that are expected to start in 2021 include the second phase of the Fall Creek Trail expansion.
This phase will connect with phase one at Burdsal Parkway to the White River Trail at Indiana Avenue. This is the last piece of the Fall Creek Greenway which - once complete - will provide a regional connection from downtown Indianapolis to Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park.
Also expected in 2021, is the expansion of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, with new multimodal trail along South Street and Indiana Avenue as well as additional stations and bikes for the Pacers bike share program.
