Unlike previous years where motorists became used to major road projects within the city, 2014 does not entail any long-term traffic flow issues.
“There are a few projects – fairly big ones, big impact ones,” Noblesville City Engineer John Beery said.
Of the road projects, Beery said the most impactful one is the replacement of railroad tracks on Eighth Street.
“With a price tag of $350,000 it might not seem like a large scale project, but Conner Street is a main street through town and will be closed for a week or two,” he said.
The project will coincide with Noblesville Schools’ spring break on March 31 through April 11.
“Traffic is less during that time,” Beery said.
Pressley Drive will be extended from Ind. 32 to Pleasant Street. The roadway extension will be east of the Terry Lee Crossing development along Ind. 37. Beery said it is a joint project with INDOT and will take place in late summer. The project includes a bridge and roundabout on Ind. 32.
“There’s logistical things with INDOT that may affect the construction schedule. We hope it will be mid to late summer,” he said, adding Pressley’s extension will provide a new corridor for traffic to use instead of Ind. 37.
Sidewalk: On the smaller scale, Beery said the city is working on a sidewalk project from 19th Street to McDonalds, 1810 Conner St. The project will construct and extend the sidewalk from downtown. Beery said the project’s plans are being completed now and construction is expected to begin in the spring or summer. The project is causing more problems and expenses than usual sidewalk construction.
“There are lots of utility lines in there and we need to work out the details,” Beery said.
Riverwalk: The final phase of Riverwalk is scheduled for construction in 2014 and 2015. Beery said the third phase will extend south on Conner Street along the river bank to Cherry Street.
“It will be a trail or boardwalk,” he said. “There is a gap there. From the top of the bank, the trail will travel alongside the parking lot or be a short boardwalk.”
Beery said the Noblesville Wastewater Treatment Plant is installing new storm and sanitary sewer lines to Cherry Street and that project will extend Riverwalk even farther.
“Within the next two years the trail from Forest Park will go all the way down to Division Street,” he said.