The roundabout construction at Range Line Road and Carmel Drive is approximately halfway complete, with construction scheduled wrap up in November.
And while Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard is telling motorists and businesses to hold tight, he said there’s still more to come when that project is finished.
“Business owners were worried, but we’re almost halfway through the closures,” he said. “They all understand we’re trying to go as quickly as we can. It’s a tough time for some of them. We’re going to move it as quickly as we can, but in the long run, it’ll be good for the city because we’re never going to get to a place where we have congestion like other cities. So as a result, businesses in the long term will thrive.”
Zeke’s Hot Chicken, formerly known as Zacky’s Hot Dogs, closed Oct. 1. It was located at the intersection, but customers could still access it by going around the barriers, which is allowed for local traffic.
Brainard said he wants people to know they can still reach these businesses despite the closure, and he said most people who have attempted to reach these destinations have told them it was quite easy.
Brainard said some people have the perception that it is difficult to get around much of Carmel with the closures, but that detours allow drivers to reach almost anywhere.
He noted that Crew Car Wash is using this time to do some remodeling on its property, which he said is smart timing.
New road closures were also announced to start in September and October:
Carey Road and Hawthorne Drive
Closure: Sept. 26.
The closure is scheduled to last 45 days. This project will increase vehicular and pedestrian/bike transportation connectivity. The detour will use Gray Road and Keystone Parkway to accommodate northbound and southbound traffic. Eastbound and westbound traffic will use Main Street and 146th street.
Carey Road and 136th Street
Closure: during first week of October.
The closure is for construction of a roundabout. The detour will use Gray Road and Keystone Parkway to accommodate northbound and southbound traffic. Eastbound and westbound traffic will use Main Street and 146th street.
Spring Mill Road improvement
Closure: on or after Oct. 9.
This will be a full closure until approximately mid-December. A detour will be in place, using Illinois Street for all north-south traffic. This is the first phase of an $8.3 million project that will add multi-purpose paths so there are no gaps in connectivity, a new median in the center of the roadway and pedestrian railings to bridges. Future phases will include work in 2017 further south on Spring Mill, from Dorset to 111th Street.
Emerson Road storm water improvement
Lane restrictions only: on or after Sept. 26.
The City of Carmel has been working on stormwater improvements in the Emerson Road area. On or after Sept. 26, this project will shift into the Johnson Addition area of Emerson Road. The storm sewer installation will continue along the southern portion of Emerson as well as 350 feet of York Drive from Emerson, and the length of Park Lane. Local traffic will be maintained. Weather permitting, this project should be completed by Thanksgiving.
