INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- Mayor Joe Hogsett recently joined the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) and Indy Parks and Recreation to highlight all of the recent trail projects completed this year with a ribbon cutting at the convergence of the Central Canal Towpath and the Fall Creek Trail. In 2020, 11 trails and greenway projects underwent construction.

"At a time when bike sales have spiked to their highest levels in decades, and when more city residents are exploring their city on foot, these improvements could not come at a better time," said Mayor Hogsett. "Many of today's improvements build on earlier trails, meaning that the total distances covered by these greenways are truly enormous, and are a county-wide upgrade."

One major project expected to be completed later this year is the extension of the Central Canal Towpath from 29th Street to 16th Street, which includes 7,920 linear feet of new trail. This project utlized $225,380 in Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development.

Phase one of a two-part extension of the Fall Creek Trail is also expected to be completed next month. This $2.7 million project expanded the trail from Burdsal Boulevard/Central Canal to Meridian Street/Fall Creek. It includes 9,600 linear feet of new path, 8 rehabbed access ramps, and 1 new pedestrian bridge.

Other trail and greenway projects that saw major construction in 2020 include:

• Phases 3A and 3B of Pennsy Trail, connecting Shortridge Road to German Church Road
• Fall Creek Trail and 38th Street Extension
• Johnson Road Trail
• Pleasant Run Greenway Trail Enhancements
• Monon Bridge over 38th Street
• Fall Creek Trail Rehab
• Cold Spring Road Multimodal Path
• Newsfields Multipurpose path

These 11 projects, the bulk of whose construction was substantially completed in 2020, and representing an investment of more than $20.3 million in construction contracts has resulted in:

• 51,276 linear feet of new path/trail
• 16,490 linear feet of rehabbed path/trail
• 3 new pedestrian bridges
• 3 rehabbed pedestrian bridges
• 32 new ADA access ramps
• 8 rehabbed ADA access ramps
• 9 new crosswalks

Projects that are expected to start in 2021 include the second phase of the Fall Creek Trail expansion. This phase will connect with phase one at Burdsal Parkway to the White River Trail at Indiana Avenue. This is the last piece of the Fall Creek Greenway which - once complete - will provide a regional connection from downtown Indianapolis to Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park.

Also expected in 2021, the City of Indianapolis is partnering in the expansion of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, with new multimodal trail along South Street and Indiana Avenue as well as additional stations and bikes for the Pacers bike share program.

Two of the projects constructed in 2020 were partnership projects through Indy DPW's Indianapolis Neighborhood Infrastructure Partnership. Two more multi-modal projects, near Holliday Park and in the Near North neighborhood, were awarded funds this year. For the past four years Indy DPW has accepted proposals from community-based organizations for infrastrucuture projects under a matching fund program. The 2021 application period is open, and interested community-based organizations can apply here.

For more information on trails across Indianapolis visit parks.indy.gov.