The City of Noblesville will hold a public hearing for the proposed Midland Trace Trail Project beginning at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 7 in the cafeteria at Hazel Dell Elementary School, 3025 Westfield Rd. An open house will take place from 5:30 to 6 p.m., followed by a formal presentation at 6 p.m.
“The city has submitted an environmental study and report about this project to INDOT and the Federal Highway Administration for review. The city has been given approval for the public involvement portion of the approval process, which includes this hearing,” city spokeswoman Cara Culp said.
City officials said the purpose of the hearing is to offer the public an opportunity to comment on the environmental documents and preliminary design plans for the proposed trail project. Land acquisition and the future of this project also will be discussed.
“The project has been approved for federal funding to cover the majority of land acquisition costs for the portion between Gray and Willowview roads, subject to all conditions of the approval process. The city will fund 20 percent of the project cost,” Culp said.
The proposed overall Midland Trace Trail follows the abandoned Central Indiana Railway corridor from Westfield to White River. This corridor passes through scenic woodlands, crosses two iron-truss bridges and links neighborhoods and schools throughout Noblesville and Westfield.
“Ultimately, it will also connect to the Monon Trail once the Monon is extended north and Westfield’s portion of the Midland is extended east to U.S. 31. The City of Westfield has already constructed a portion of the Midland Trace Trail within Westfield city limits,” Culp said.
Prior to the federal funding application approval in 2013, the city hosted an informal public information session in November 2012. Since that time, Noblesville has been compiling environmental reports and conducting title research on the many parcels of land that are along the proposed Midland Trace path.
Questions and comments about the project may be made to Briana Hope with American Structurepoint at [email protected] or 547-5580. American Structurepoint is serving as the environmental coordinator for this project.
