By Pete Smith
Long an eyesore and seldom-used because of its tenuous grip on the hillside below, Carmel’s Main Street boardwalk will soon be retired in favor of freshly-paved bike paths.
The plan is to construct a new paved bike path on the north side on Main Street from Keystone Parkway to Gray Road.
In addition, another bike path will be constructed on the north side of Smokey Row Road from Keystone Parkway to Carey Road and then on the south side of the roadway from Cary Road to Gray Road.
The city’s efforts will make the areas east of Carmel High School far more pedestrian friendly.
City Councilor Sue Finkam, who represents northeast Carmel, said it would be great news for residents who live in subdivisions in the area
“It’s an eyesore that will get taken away for eternity,” she said.
And perhaps the biggest coup is that taxpayers will only foot a portion of the bill.
City engineer Jeremy Kashman said that 80 percent of the costs will be paid for with Transportation Alternatives Program funding through INDOT.
Construction on the Smokey Row and Main Street paths is anticipated to start in August or September of this year, said city spokeswoman Melanie Lentz.
“It is our hope to have them significantly complete by the end of the year,” she said.
