On the evening of Sept. 10, dozens of Fishers residents gathered in Fishers City Hall Auditorium to hear the Indiana Department of Transportation’s proposal for a new interchange at 106th Street and Interstate 69 in Fishers. The project is estimated to cost $34 million with the city of Fishers contributing 28 percent and Hamilton Co. contributing 6 percent, respectively.
“This is a heavily locally funded project. We have the City of Fishers and Hamilton County, so we’ve got about $12 million of their own money in this,” Jeremy Richardson, design consultant for INDOT, said. “This is an important project for both Hamilton County and the City of Fishers.”
The purpose of the interchange is to reduce congestion at current I-69 intersections located at 96th and 116th streets, as well as improve traffic safety by reducing crashes in the area and allowing direct access to 106th Street from I-69.
“There is a lot of recurring crashes due to congestion on I-69 so it’s going to help with that congestion, help with that traffic safety aspect,” Richardson said. “One of the most important points is direct access to the 106th Street area.”
INDOT’s proposed intersection would consist of two, two-lane, oval shaped roundabouts on 106th Street over I-69 with ramps going in both directions of the interstate. The bridge at 106th Street would be demolished and replaced with two separate two-lane bridges carrying one-way traffic.
106th Street would be widened to two lanes in both directions with added curbs and gutters for drainage improvements, and an eight-foot side path along the north side of the street. Total permanent right-of-way for the project would be approximately 9.5 acres which currently is zoned as commercial, agricultural and forest.
INDOT spokespeople noted alternative interchanges were considered such as a tight diamond interchange, a single point urban interchange and a diverging diamond interchange, but the preferred concept would result in the shortest traffic delay times.
If approved, construction would begin in April and last until the spring of 2017. During that time, traffic at 106th Street would be detoured to Hague and Lantern Roads and across 96th Street. I-69 would remain open during the day with closures overnight.
While INDOT spokespeople assured the auditorium of Fishers residents that the construction would be beneficial and is necessary for the growth the city has and will likely continue to receive in the future, the majority of the crowd voiced concerns against the project. Audience members were given the opportunity to comment publicly with dozens voicing their concerns over dropping property values, increased traffic during the 106th Street closure and lack of city notice regarding the project.
“I happen to live on 106th Street. I think they’ve done a great job with the snap shot that they’ve used to justify why they need this exit on 69, but I’ve seen nothing that justifies the impact that it’s going to have on houses on these streets,” one Fishers resident said. “106th Street is a dead end in both directions. We already can’t get out of our driveways. Tonight, to get here; seven minutes I had to wait to get out of my driveway. We’re going to put another thousand cars on that road? Where are we going to put them? If we have $12 million to spend on this, let’s get those roads ready. Let’s get out there and make all the roads that are going to come off this ready for the traffic, then put the interchange in.”
INDOT will continue to accept feedback regarding the project until Sept. 25. Comments may be submitted by mail to the INDOT Office of Public Involvement, Attention Rickie Clark, 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N642, Indianapolis, Ind. 46204. Emailed comments may also be sent to the INDOT at [email protected].
