"RebuildIndy' Projects Announced 9.10.10

Inside Indiana Business

Construction will begin next week on Mayor Greg Ballard's "RebuildIndy" infrastructure plan. Today he outlined which streets, sidewalks and bridges across Marion County will be improved with the first $55 million from the program. Ballard says the initiative will create jobs and a foundation for increased economic development opportunities.

Mayor Greg Ballard announced today his aggressive program to invest $55 million in streets, sidewalks and bridges across the county by the end of 2010. The announcement was made during a preview event for planned infrastructure improvements in a part of town where they are sorely needed—Michigan Road.

“When people talked to me about this stretch of Michigan Road, I heard about cracked sidewalks, lack of ADA ramps, and intersections without medians. Hundreds of people who live and work in this area drive or walk on these roads every day. I knew something had to be done to improve their viability,” said Mayor Ballard. “This is a perfect example of the types of projects that are funded by the $55 million infusion in infrastructure planned in 2010—a high traffic area that has long struggled with the types of classic infrastructure issues we see across Indianapolis that is surrounded by concerned citizens and stakeholders who are passionate about getting it fixed.”

Through Mayor’s Night Out meetings, reports from the Mayor’s Action Center (MAC) and conversations with residents, issues in the Crooked Creek Neighborhood near Michigan Road were brought to the Mayor’s attention early in his administration. Today, residents in the area heard good news about several current and upcoming road projects the Department of Public Works has underway that will significantly improve the quality of life for residents who live near or drive on Michigan Road.

Neighborhood Takes Initiative to Deliver Improvements on Michigan Road

With a desire to see change effected in their community, residents living in the Crooked Creek Neighborhood took initiative. AARP sponsored a Walkability Survey where dozens of volunteers spent hours, on foot, evaluating Michigan Road, 71st Street, Cold Springs Road and Westlane Road.

“What we found was similar to what Mayor Ballard had been hearing; streets either had cracked sidewalks or no sidewalks at all, intersections had failing signals, and there were very few options for people who chose to walk. Not only are these problems unsightly, but they make it difficult for members of our community to get from one side of Michigan Road to the other,” said Irene Wegner, AARP Community Outreach Coordinator.

With the help of funding secured by Congressman André Carson’s office as well as local funding, the Department of Public Works (DPW) is now committing more than $2 million spread over four projects to repair and improve this area of the city. One of the projects is already complete; the others will begin between now and 2012. The projects will focus on 86th Street to north, Cold Springs Road to the south, 71st Street to the west, and Westlane Road to the east. Work on to the east and west will continue as long as funding permits.

$55 Million Push in 2010 to “RebuildIndy”; Construction begins next week

The projects on Michigan Road are just a few examples of the Mayor’s RebuildIndy program—Mayor Ballard’s initiative to rebuild deteriorating thoroughfares, residential streets, sidewalks, and bridges, as well as address neighborhood drainage and flooding issues and demolish unsalvageable abandoned homes that pose a public safety threat to neighborhoods.

While the RebuildIndy initiative includes a wide variety of projects, the $55 million in projects announced today are a result of the first set of funds unlocked by the City’s effort to transform its utilities. Several of the projects will begin construction next week.

The $55 million in infrastructure projects across the city will include projects to resurface thoroughfares, construct curbs, repair sidewalks, install ramps to provide access for individuals with disabilities and rehabilitate three bridges.

“RebuildIndy will enhance our already great city, rebuild the parts that are broken, and put the critically important building trades industry to work at a time when good paying jobs are needed,” said Mayor Ballard. “We’ve experienced success in better than anticipated bond financing as a result of Indianapolis’ AAA credit rating. The proceeds of the revenue bonds approved by the City-County Council in May will increase by nearly $14 million, in part due to the City’s excellent rating, creating more resources to fix our community’s aging infrastructure that has been put on the back burner for far too long.”

A contractor networking session immediately followed the announcement where upcoming bid opportunities were released to businesses, including minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses to provide the maximum opportunities for work on the RebuildIndy program.

These construction projects will create local jobs and ultimately increase public safety for neighborhoods and residents, which supports Mayor Ballard’s commitment to make Indianapolis a more livable city.

The RebuildIndy initiative will not only create needed jobs but also create a foundation for increased economic development opportunities in Indianapolis by creating a more attractive environment for businesses and professionals, and support public safety by removing abandoned homes and strengthening community pride.

Mayor Ballard is committed to ensuring that all of the work generated by these dollars results in jobs for Marion County residents. Plans are being put in place now to follow that commitment to increase jobs and job security. Mayor Ballard is committed to receiving as much public feedback on the list of projects as possible. Mayor Ballard’s office and the Department of Public Works are still determining the full list of projects. To suggest a project in your area, call the Mayor’s Action Center, 327-4MAC or you can visit www.indy.gov/rebuildindy

Some featured projects included in the $55 million in planned infrastructure improvements:

Infrastructure improvements include street resurfacing, incidental drainage repair and rehabilitation of area curbs and sidewalks. Identified project areas include both thoroughfares and residential streets. Highlighted project areas include:

10th St. from I-465 to Main Street and Raceway Road to Railroad
Guion Road from 38th Street to 56th Street and 62nd Street to 71st Street
Ohio Street from West Street to College Avenue
Post Road from I-74 to Troy Avenue and Troy Avenue to Rawles Avenue
Stop 11 from Meridian School Road to Shelby Street and Sherman Drive to Emerson Avenue
Massachusetts Avenue from Arlington Avenue to 38th Street

A set of projects have been identified to address problem areas throughout the city, including crumbling and aging bridge infrastructure. Improvements will include repairing and overlaying of bridge decks, repair to bridge approaches and replacement of guard and bridge rails. Highlighted projects include:

42nd Street Bridge over Steel Ditch
Raymond Street Bridge over Lick Creek
Cossell Road Bridge over Little Eagle Creek

Completed and Upcoming Projects on Michigan Road

· In the spring of 2010, DPW added concrete medians to the intersection of Michigan Road and Westlane Road and widened it to allow for left turn movements. In addition, the intersection was resurfaced and new pavement markings were drawn. Improved LED signal heads were also added and pedestrian push buttons were installed.

· As a results of AARP’s Walkability Survey, another improvement project along Michigan Road will be out for bid in late September 2010.The city will spend $800,000 to make pedestrian improvements along 71st and Michigan Road by adding a trail from Cold Springs Road to Kessler Boulevard. The trail will better connect west side neighborhoods to Michigan Road.

· With the help of Congressman André Carson, the City of Indianapolis received nearly $500,000 in appropriations to improve the “triangle” (Michigan Road/Westlane Road/Township Line Road). The improvements will help pedestrian connectivity and add ADA ramps.

· The city also received nearly $400,000 in Transportation Enhancement (TE) Grants. After a 20% local match, the city will have $490,000 to spend on additional improvements along Michigan Road. TE Grant money will be available in 2012.
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