In a decision announced today, the Federal Surface Transportation Board gave permission to the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority to railbank 9.2 miles of the Nickel Plate rail line to eventually pave a pedestrian trail through Noblesville and Fishers.
The HHPA, made up of the City of Fishers, City of Noblesville and Hamilton County, owns the rail line. Those entities purchased the line in 1995 from Norfolk and Western Railway Co.
Upon the Surface Transportation Board’s decision, the City of Fishers announced its formation of the Nickel Plate Trail Master Planning Committee.
The committee will oversee the master plan of the Nickel Plate Trail from 96th Street to 146th Street in Fishers.
Fishers also confirmed that portion of the project will go bid in June.
“The Nickel Plate Trail will allow residents and visitors to experience our city in new and different ways, and this Committee will help create another amenity toward our vision of creating a vibrant city,” Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness stated. “Residents often request increased connectivity for walking, running and biking in our community, and this trail will be a major step toward fulfilling that need.”
The city said the Master Planning Committee will seek design ideas to incorporate branding elements, design themes, future art installation locations and examples, trail enhancement options, crosswalk designs, signage, trailhead locations, and identification of other experiential amenities designed, such as benches, water fountains and bike stations.
For more, visit nickelplatetrail.com.
