Indiana logistics isn’t always about freight, roadways, railroads, and bridges – sometimes it’s simply about the way citizens move throughout their communities. Indiana, known internationally for its highly efficient logistics, takes the flow of people through neighborhoods just as seriously as it takes the flow of commerce throughout our networks.
Right now, there are several locally-focused projects happening throughout the state that aim to bring significant improvements to their areas, some of which are very popular with residents and visitors alike. Here’s a look at two of the projects currently underway.
$30M – Congestion Relief for One of Carmel’s Busiest Districts
Construction on the City of Carmel’s major widening and expansion of the popular Monon Greenway began in earnest earlier this spring. The approximately $30 million Monon expansion through the heart of Midtown and the Arts & Design District will dramatically transform the landscape from a single-lane trail into multi-faceted public areas with green spaces, gathering places, plazas, amenity zones and additional lanes dedicated to pedestrians, bicyclists and two one-way lanes for vehicular traffic.
Considered one of the most congested sections of the greenway, a portion of the current 12-foot wide path will soon be widened to 140 feet from 1st Street SW to the future 6th Street SW.
“Our Monon expansion will help alleviate congestion on the greenway, provide better options for a variety of family activities and with new corporate investments, keep our local property tax levels among the lowest in the state of Indiana,” said Mayor Jim Brainard.
Construction on the project’s early phases, which include the intersections of the new Monon Boulevard at 1st, 2nd and 4th Streets, are nearing completion. Also, the Monon Greenway from 96th Street to Gradle Drive underwent repairs and resurfacing. Other phases of the project will be done through the spring and summer construction seasons with an anticipated completion date by the end of the year. The Monon Greenway will remain open throughout the project.
This area of the Arts & Design District and Midtown is also under heavy commercial construction with several ongoing projects. These include the new Anthony’s Chophouse at Main Street, Sun King Distillery, MJ Insurance headquarters, Merchants Bank headquarters and Midtown West residential project by Barrett & Stokely all under construction or soon to be breaking ground in this area.
Gehl Studio was selected by the city to provide guidance and develop concepts for the project. Rundell Ernstberger Associates and CrossRoad Engineers carried those concepts into their final designs for the Monon Greenway.
Some of the features will include: dedicated lanes for pedestrians and bicycles, gathering spaces, plazas, amenity zones, lighting, trees, green infrastructure, traffic-calmed roadways and on-street parking.
The range of amenities for trail users was designed to provide a distinctive experience and will include: neighborhood green spaces, arts plazas, community tables, benches, food kiosks, shade structures, spray plaza, bocce ball courts, public art and outdoor café spaces.
The expanded greenway will serve the rapidly growing Midtown redevelopment area where the city is partnering with private developers to create a new corridor connecting our city center and arts & design redevelopment districts. This will include a mix of offices, restaurants, retail and residential units in what was once the city’s primary industrial area.
The project is also eagerly anticipated by trail users who have voiced their concerns about congestion in the area. An average of 300,000-plus people run, walk or bike on this stretch of the Monon Greenway from Main Street south to the Palladium each year, making it one of the most congested stretches in Carmel. The new project will separate those who are on the greenway for leisure and those who are seeking rigorous physical activity.
$120M – State Street Project’s End Approaching
The large-scale State Street Project in West Lafayette is in the midst of its final year. Planned to be complete by the end of 2018, the project aims to reinvigorate the main thoroughfare that runs right through the heart of Purdue University’s campus.
The project’s developers cited a need for increased pedestrian safety along State Street, in addition to other benefits like economic development and simplifying the roadway for travelers. Construction will be taking place across distinct areas of the community, including the riverfront district, Chauncey Village, Purdue’s campus, the western gateway of the campus, and Stadium Avenue.
Almost every area of construction will include improved travel lanes, new sidewalks, new medians, paths for cyclists, improved bus lanes and stops, better access to businesses, increased lighting, new green spaces, outdoor seating, stormwater improvements, and much more.
The cost of the $120 million project is being split between the City of West Lafayette and Purdue and is being financed by Plenary Roads State Street, who's overseeing the project. Under the terms of the public-private partnership, the developer is responsible for financing, developing and constructing the project, in addition to maintaining the pavement for 22 years following the project's competition. Plenary Roads State Street will transfer responsibility back to the city after the operations period.
The project team consists of Reith-Riley Construction; Shrewsberry & Associates; American Structurepoint; Parsons Corporation; MKSK Studios; KPMG; Janssen & Spaans Engineering; Dearing Group; Butler Fairman & Seufert Civil Engineers; Barnes & Thornburg LLP; Plenary Group; the City of West Lafayette; and Purdue University.
Goin’ with the Flow
The next time you think about Indiana logistics, remember that it’s not all about shipping or industrial affairs. Sometimes it’s about the ways in which people travel through and interact with their community, which has an important impact on every citizen and visitor’s quality of life.
