By James Feichtner
Highway 37 could see a solution to stifling it’s traffic through the Fishers and Noblesville area in a few years, but the project could prove to provide substantial benefits to the area’s business. The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners recently reviewed the economic impact plan for the roundabout overpass modifications, which were estimated at nearly $400 million in benefits to the areas.
The project, costing around $234 million, would cover the six mile area from I-69 to State Road 32. The modifications are estimated to stimulate $725 million in new business sales in the area over a 25 year, with 635 jobs generated during its construction period and 172 jobs permanently. The roundabout plan would be similar to that which Keystone Parkway has recently had installed.
The report shows the improvements would stimulate $725 million in new business sales within 25 years. During the peak of construction, there would be 635 jobs generated. In the long term, there would be 172 permanent jobs created by 2040.
The economic impact plan was compiled by the Boston based group Economic Development Research Group, Inc. after the Hamilton county Board of Commissioners approved $80,000 for an impact plan to be developed.
Design is expected to take at least three years to complete with construction lasting just as long.
