Trail Report
Below is an ongoing list of trail construction and maintenance updates. See an issue that isn't listed? Let us know by email: tess@bikeindianapolis.org. See a maintenance issue on a Marion County trail? Report it to the Mayor's Action Center via phone at 317-327-4622.
NATIONAL: US Bicycle Route System: The U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS) is a developing national network of bicycle routes connecting urban and rural communities via signed roads and trails. Created with public input, U.S. Bicycle Routes direct bicyclists to a preferred route through a city, county, or state – creating opportunities for people everywhere to bicycle for travel, transportation, and recreation.
INDIANA: Next Level Trails Dashboard
Clearing of the southern portion of Monon Trail Corridor is underway: Once this phase is complete, construction can begin on the future Monon South Trail that will run through the towns of New Albany, Borden, New Pekin, Salem, Campbellsburg, Saltillo, Orleans, and Mitchell. Once fully constructed, the trail will be the longest contiguous recreational trail in Indiana. Progress can be seen on their facebook page.
INDIANAPOLIS
Snow Removal Plan (12/2024): The maintenance team will address trails during inclement weather conditions with roads prioritized.
Completed:
West Morris Street Revitalization from Eagle Creek to Harding Street includes a multi-use trail.
Indianapolis Cultural Trail South Street Expansion: The South Street expansion brings the Indianapolis Cultural Trail from New Jersey Street to Capitol Avenue, improving access in a thriving stretch of downtown that includes Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indiana Convention Center and a growing residential hub.
Pogue’s Run Trail from 10th and Brookside Avenue to Olney St.
The Michigan Street Road diet phase 1 & 2: Project completed. Includes Michigan Street from Holmes Avenue to White River Parkway West Drive.
In Construction:
B&O Trail in Marion County (11/25/24) : Construction has begun in the Marion County section. When completed, this 3 mile section will complete the connection from the middle of Hendricks County to downtown Indianapolis. Nearly all of the tree clearing has been completed, the trail has been excavated from Raceway Road to Ringnecked Drive (approximately 3/4 of a mile) and gravel has been put down on that section. If the weather cooperates, this section can be paved with asphalt before winter. By sometime next summer, the whole project from Raceway Road to High School Road should be completed. Bids may be put in this winter for additional trail work in Hendricks County, including upgrades to the parking lot at County Road 500E to asphalt, a new trailhead in Maplewood (County Road 500N) and a short trail extention in the Maplewood area.
Nickel Plate Bridge over 96th St (11/25/24): Construction has begun. Projected opening date is Fall 2025.
Henry Street Bridge (11/25/24): Construction has begun on phase 2 of the three-phase White River Innovation District project. (11/18/24) Finished constructing causeway across the White River.
(11/25/24): The White River Greenway (also known as the White River Trail or White River Wapahani Trail) is closed between Kentucky Ave. and Washington Street on or after Tuesday, Sept. 3. The detour for bicyclists and pedestrians follows Washington Street, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail along Capitol Avenue, South Street, Missouri Street, McCarty Street and Kentucky Avenue. South White River Parkway will also close between Washington Street and Oliver Avenue again beginning on or after Tuesday, September 3.
Lawrence Township Multi-use Trail: Paving has started on the new 1.2 mile shared-use trail extension along Lee Road (59th to 63rd) and 63rd Street (Lee Road to Winona Drive). This project will enhance connectivity between Fort Harrison State Park, Lee Road Park, Forest Glen Elementary, Ivy Tech, and local businesses around Fort Ben.
Southeastern Ave. Corridor Multi-use Trail: This multimodal trail broke ground along Southeastern Avenue from East Washington to Leeds Avenue connecting Washington Street to Leeds Avenue. The trail will be just over one mile long and will be located on the north side of Southeastern Avenue. There is a hold on construction until the utilities are completed. Construction anticipated to resume by the end of the month (9/24). This project is expected to be complete by the end of the year, weather permitting.
E. Michigan St. & E. New York St, from College Avenue to Ellenberger Park are being converted for 2-way traffic, including an extending curb-protected cycle track the entire length; Westbound on Michigan St and Eastbound on New York St. Portions will include landscaped buffers where space allows, but all will include curb separation except for gaps left for drainage and driveways. Additionally, segments of Highland and Dorman will be branded as Neighborway, with associated wayfinding between Market St and 10th St. Work has been moving along. No significant updates. Project is expected to be complete in 2025.
22nd St Cycle Track: Installing a cycle track along 22nd St. between A.J. Brown Ave and Capital Avenue. This project is predominantly completed. The bike facilities have been completed, minus an area at Central Ave and 22nd due to the Construction of the apartments that have that area blocked. This area should be complete by mid-November. There is some minor work being added to the contract to improve pedestrian crossing at 5 select alley approaches.
Nickel Plate Trail: Anticipated project completion by Spring 2025.
12/2024: Current activity:
71st Street was re-opened to traffic and Graham Road to be opened on or soon after December 9.
Installation of collapsable bollards, shoulder stone, topsoil and fencing throughout project limit to resume.
Installation of vehicular traffic and pedestrian signal items to resume throughout project limits proceeding north to resume.
Installation of concrete sidewalk in Sahm Park and installation of concrete roadway patch in this area to be completed.
Installation of concrete speed table and concrete nodes/ADA ramps at Graham Road to be completed.
The 30th St. bridge over White River is still closed. Work has been halted while DPW & INDOT work through a constructability issue regarding the delivered bridge materials. Work will resume after next steps have been determined.
Eagle Creek Greenway - Phase B1: New terrain greenway from the intersection of Dandy Trail & Oceanline Drive to US 136 (Crawfordsville Rd). Construction has just started and is scheduled to be completed summer 2026.
In Design:
Pogue's Run Greenway: Phase 3 will include a new portion of the trail that continues north on Olney and east on 21st St to connect to the Pogue's Run Art & Nature Park.
Phase 3 should begin in Spring of 2025.
16 Tech bridge: Prep work began that cause closures on the existing white river trail and the wilderness trail below.
Pleasant Run Trail – Phases 1-3: in design to add two new trail segments on Bluff Road (Troy Ave-Raymond St.) and Pleasant Run Pkwy N Dr. (Bluff Rd. to Conservatory Dr.) as well as pavement rehabilitation, signage and pavement markings for existing trail from Garfield Park to Ellenberger Park.
Phase 1: Design is now finished. We currently have the project set to bid by end of September. Latest construction timeline estimates are for 2025 construction.
Phase 2- 3: Currently at 90% design completion for the trail rehabilitation scope. Recently a decision was made to include two pedestrian bridge replacements with this project. These two ped bridges (one just north of Raymond St that spans the creek and the other at Ellenberger park) are vital connections to the trail and are currently in very poor condition, so it was seen as necessary to replace/fix them in conjunction with the project. The revised project schedule has opening bids in October 2024 and beginning construction in Spring 2025. Construction time for this project is estimated at spanning the 2025 construction season.
The 29th Street and 30th Street two-way conversion is in design and includes a combination of a multi-use path, neighborway, and cycle track primarily along 30th Street. The route will connect the White River Trail to future AJ Brown Trail. Along the way it will also provide connections to the Riverside Promenade Trail, Canal Towpath, Illinois/Capitol bike lanes, RedLine BRT, Fall Creek Trail, and the Monon Trail, as well as various points of interests such as Riverside Park, schools, and the Children’s Museum. It will bid in July 2024 with work beginning Fall 2024 and throughout 2025.
Eagle Creek Greenway Phase 2a – in design for 2024 construction. Project is bidding in March 2024 for an anticipated 2024-2025 construction.
Eagle Creek Phases 2b and 2c – awarded funding from Indianapolis MPO in the FY 2026 call for projects. Still in some of the funding stage. Some early design work underway and scheduled for 2025-2026 construction.
Interurban Trail – Ray St to Pleasant Run greenway – in design for 2025 construction.
Madison Ave from Pleasant Run Pkwy to Ray St: Remains in design. Has reached 60% mark. Set for possible 2025-2026 construction
Madison Ave from Martin to Hanna Ave: Design anticipated to start soon. Looking towards a 2026-2027 construction window.
Madison Ave from Pleasant Run Pkwy to Martin St: Very early project. Design anticipated to start summer of 2024. Funding received for this stretch of road, meaning that Ray Street to Hanna Avenue road diet along Madison has been funded. Find out more here.
Monon/Pogue’s connector – connection between Pogue’s Run Trail and Monon Trail through Martindale-Brightwood is in design.
Grassy Creek Greenway – in design for east/west portion from Mitthoeffer to Carroll Rd. with an estimated 2025 construction.
Monon Trail widening phase 2: Design phase has reached 90%. Construction is still scheduled for 2025.
Fall Creek Greenway Extension: City of Lawrence was awarded a $5 million grant from the Department of Natural Resources as part of the fourth round of the Next Level Trails program to be used to create a 1.83 mile trail extending Fall Creek Greenway and connecting Lawrence and Indianapolis. This new trail will be a paved multi-use path and will include a section of boardwalk connecting 63rd Street and Lee Road to 71st Street and Fall Creek Parkway to the Upper Fall Creek Loop Trail. Along 63rd Street, the new trail will connect to a Round 3 Next Level Trails project that connects Forest Glen Elementary School and Fall Creek Valley Middle School and residential areas.
Anticipated completion of this project is scheduled for Fall of 2025.
CARMEL
White River Greenway North Extension Project: Beginning after March 11, The project includes extending the greenway north to 146th Street as well as the construction of a river overlook, parking lot and year-round restrooms. Once complete, the White River Greenway will span over five miles in Carmel. The project is in partnership with Conner Prairie and is part of a regional effort to expand the greenway and turn attention toward the area’s most significant natural resource—the White River.
96th Street Path Project: Beginning on or after Sept. 9, eastbound travel will be restricted on W. 96th Street between Spring Mill Road and Ditch Road due to the construction of a multi-use path. This work is expected to last through December 2024.
Monon Greenway Widening: Beginning on or after March 18, tree clearing will begin along the Monon Greenway between City Center Drive and W. Walnut Street in preparation for Phase 3 of the Monon Boulevard expansion project in Midtown. Approximately 50 trees will be removed in this section of greenway with the work taking place along the west side of the trail. The new plan will incorporate more than 6,000 new plantings (shrubs, perennials, grasses) and more than 100 new trees. Work on Phase 3 will be substantially complete in 2025. On or after July 29, 2024, a temporary multi-use path will be established west of the existing trail once clearing is complete to allow pedestrians to maintain connectivity throughout the construction. This will be in place until the end of 2025.
Pedestrian Bridge at 106th over White River to connect Fishers, Carmel Trails: The bridge will be 14 feet wide and 500 feet long. A new parking lot will be built at Hazel Landing Park to serve as a trailhead but bathrooms won't be constructed because the area is in the flood plain. (See FISHERS section for more details).
Snow Removal Plan (12/2024): Paths that are located along City roadways are cleared by the Carmel Street Department as soon as possible after City streets are cleared. In most cases, they are cleared along with the adjacent section of roadway. The Street Department does not clear trails outside of normal business hours and depending on the depth of snow, it may take up to 2-3 days to clear the paths. Additionally, in some areas, trails are not cleared on both sides of the roadway.
Trails and greenways are cleared by the Carmel Clay Parks Department, which begins clearing operations shortly after the end of the snowfall. Trails in Carmel are cleared but are not salted. No salt is used due to the threat of killing vegetation along the trails, causing injury to the paws of our pets and the potential damage to the asphalt.
Please remember that all residents, property owners and business owners are responsible for keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Specifically, the City is responsible for plowing the streets and our many trails and pathways, but it is the responsibility of residential property owners to clear their own sidewalks of all snow and ice within 72 hours of a major snowfall. If you own a business, the timeline is by noon the day after the snow event.
NOBLESVILLE
Snow Removal Plan (12/2024): In the winter, the goal is to clear all trails within a few days of a snowfall. No salting is done so be aware that on frosty mornings and cold days the pavement can be icy.
Little Chicago Road (12/2024): The trail along Little Chicago Rd running north from SR 38 is closed due to construction.
Midland Trace Trail (12/2024) is open from 8th street in Noblesville to River Rd. New construction is continuing downtown from Hague Rd and SR 32 to River Rd. This trail will eventually connect to the existing Midland Trace at SR 32 and Hague Rd, projected to be finished by the end of 2025.
Forest Park trail to Federal Hill Park Trail Connector (12/2024): Construction is underway on a trail connecting the Forest Park trail to Federal Hill Park.
FISHERS
Nickel Plate Trail: The City of Fishers is preparing for construction on the pedestrian bridge over 96th Street this fall. The bridge will connect the Fishers portion of the Nickel Plate Trail to Indianapolis, where trail construction is underway and is expected to conclude spring 2025.
11/22/24: There will be periodic lane restrictions in place between Sam's Club and Hague Road between 9 am and 3 pm starting on Friday, Nov. 8th. in preparation of the construction of the Nickel Plate Trail Bridge over 96th Street.
Geist Greenway Project (12/2024): Now open from 104th Street to Geist Park (10979 Florida Road) and from Geist Park to 126th Street. For general project information, please visit https://playfishers.com/299/Geist-Greenway
Pedestrian Bridge at 106th over White River: The bridge is expected to be complete in August 2025. The bridge will be 14 feet wide and 500 feet long. A new parking lot will be built at Hazel Landing Park to serve as a trailhead but bathrooms won't be constructed because the area is in the flood plain.
ZIONSVILLE
Snow Removal Plan (12/2024): The Big-4 is included in the top tier response, however limited staffing and resources will effect the timeliness of the removal. Level 1 Priority includes:
Mulberry Fields – middle and north parking bay, internal walking loop, entire entrance drive to roundabout
Big-4 Rail Trail –Southern Trailhead vehicle lot and internal path, Nancy Burton/Laurel vehicle lot and connection, Trailside Elementary connection, Rail Trail through Whitestown Rd/400 S.
Heritage Trail Park- First vehicle parking lot, paths to dog park.
PLAINFIELD
Vandalia Trail: (07/2024) Indianapolis DPW has raised the priority of the Vandalia Trail, having published a Request for Qualifications for firms to design the entire Vandalia Trail across the west side of Indianapolis.
The Vandalia Trail was added to the city's 5-year plan for complete streets and trails.
HANCOCK COUNTY
Pennsy Trail: Working on plans to expand the trail east of 400W connecting the gap between Greenfield and Cumberland is 400W-150W. Section cleared from the parking area at County Road 400 W till approximately County Road 350 W. The trail is currently a mix of mulch and stone. The sections between 600W and 300W have been funded in coordination with DNR grants, Pennsy Trails funds from donors, and Hancock County government.
The Pennsy Trails in Hancock County is now open from 400W to 600W, and beyond for 10 miles to Ritter Ave at Ellenberger Park, and 20 miles to the Indy Zoo. Safety Beacons have been installed at 500W and 600W crossings. Solar lights have been installed at 400W, 500W, and 600W crossings.
Thanks to the generosity of supporters, Greenways Foundation announced a $10,000 grant was awarded to Pennsy Trails of Hancock County to purchase stone and subgrade treatment materials that will be used to extend the existing Pennsy Trail eastward from County Road 400 W to 300 W in Hancock County, Indiana!
HENDRICKS COUNTY
B&O Trail (12/2024): No snow removal on the B&O Trail west of Green St in Brownsburg.
BROWNSBURG
Snow Removal Plan (12/2024): Main paved trails will be cleared after 2 inches or more of snow accumulation with the goal of complete snow removal within 24 hours after the snowfall has ended. However, after significant snowfall events, the process may take longer.