LEGAL NOTICE OF PLANNED IMPROVEMENT DES. #: 2400602

LEGAL NOTICE OF PLANNED IMPROVEMENT DES. #: 2400602 The Indianapolis Department of Public Works, with Federal Highway Administration Funding, is developing plans for a new pedestrian bridge to carry the Nickel Plate Trail over Keystone Avenue between 46th Street and 51st Street in the City of Indianapolis, Marion County. The primary purpose of this project is to remove conflict points between pedestrians and vehicular traffic, and to provide a multimodal connectivity of the Nickel Plate Trail. The project will consist of installing a new multiuse bridge for pedestrians and cyclists at the intersection of the Nickel Plate Trail and Keystone Avenue, connecting the Nickel Plate Trail on the western side of Keystone Avenue with the Nickel Plate Trail along the eastern side of Keystone Avenue. The new multiuse bridge will consist of a prefabricated steel truss bridge approximately 133.5 feet in length with four approach concrete I-beam spans, the longest of which will be approximately 66 feet 9 inches in length. The total bridge will be approximately 428 feet in length. The bridge will have a 16-foot-out to out coping width and an 18-foot vertical clearance. The bridge will consist of a 13-foot-wide clear multi-use pathway bordered by a 8-foot-tall prefabricated steel truss fence on either side. The approach spans will be prestressed concrete I-Beam structures built on a -4.65% grade and a 40-foot vertical curve leading from the new multiuse bridge to the Nickel Plate Trail at ground level. Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls will be built for both approaches to facilitate grade transitions between the new bridge and existing grades for approximately 234 feet northeast of the bridge and 236 feet southwest of the bridge. Additional work to the existing trail approaches beyond the limits of the MSE walls will be necessary to facilitate connection to the existing trail segments. Existing streetlights on Keystone Avenue may be adjusted to accommodate the location of the proposed bridge. New permanent lighting is anticipated to be installed on the main bridge and the bridge approaches. The new permanent lighting will include an LED strip light mounted on the inside face on both sides of the truss main arch and spotlights installed underneath the bridge to illuminate each pier along both main span and approach piers. A "Nickel Plate Trail" sign, mounted on the new bridge, will be halo-lit where the letters will project out and lit from behind the sign. The project will require the permanent closure of Erie Avenue from 47th Street to Keystone Avenue, which is a cut through (slip lane) from Keystone southwest to 46th Street. Motorists will no longer be able to turn right off Keystone and travel southwest to 46th Street along Erie Avenue and instead will be required to proceed to the 46th Street signalized intersection to turn west. An access drive will be put in from 49th Street to maintain access to a property that currently accesses Erie Avenue. The proposed closing section does not have any active driveways along it. The old roadbed will be removed and replaced with grass. This permanent closure is needed to accommodate the new bridge. The Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) plan for the project will require construction under traffic and the use of a detour. The proposed MOT plan is to maintain traffic under construction utilizing traffic barrels, flagging, and lane shifts. The long-term MOT plan will require that the outside northbound and southbound lanes on Keystone Avenue will be closed to traffic. This restriction will remain in place for approximately 6 months. Additionally, Keystone Avenue will be fully closed in both directions for up to one week for bridge placement and a separate southbound-only closure will be necessary to install a stormwater pipe to accommodate drainage. A unique special provision (USP) will be designed to avoid full road closure during the Indiana State Fair. A detour will be instituted, utilizing 46th Street, College Avenue, 52nd Street, and Keystone Avenue and is approximately 3.0 miles in length and 8 minutes additional travel time. A pedestrian and bike MOTs will also be necessary during the bridge placement. During closure of the west sidewalk along Keystone Avenue, signage will direct pedestrians to use the east sidewalk along Keystone Avenue. During closure of the east sidewalk along Keystone Avenue, signage will direct pedestrians to use the west sidewalk along Keystone Avenue. During closure of the Nickel Plate Trail at Keystone Avenue, signage will direct pedestrians to use existing sidewalks along the south side of 52nd Street, the east side of Kingsway Drive, and the south side of Willowbrook Parkway. Access to residential and commercial properties will be maintained throughout the project. School corporations and emergency services will be notified of closures prior to construction. The project is anticipated to take approximately 18 months to complete with construction beginning January 2027. A total of 0.33 acre of temporary ROW will be required from commercial lands in previously disturbed soils for construction access and pedestrian rerouting during construction. No permanent ROW will be required. The project will not result in any relocations of residences or businesses. Approximately 0.58 acre of permanent impacts will occur to the mowed roadside grasses within the project area. Approximately 10 trees, which will be clearly demarcated, will be removed. No impacts to streams, open water features or wetlands are anticipated to occur as a result of the project. The cost associated with this project is approximately $6,500,000 which includes preliminary engineering, right-of-way and construction with federal and local funds anticipated to be used. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and INDOT have agreed this project falls within the guidelines of a Categorical Exclusion (CE) Level 3 environmental document. Preliminary design plans along with the CE are available for review at the following locations: Indianapolis Public Library, College Avenue Branch, 4180 North College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46205Indianapolis Department of Public Works, City-County Building, 200 E. Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204Online: (plans) https://www.bfsengr.com/documents/Des 2400042 Keystone Pedestrian Bridge Plans.pdf; (environmental document) https://www.bfsengr.com/documents/ENV_DraftEnvDocV3_2400602_for Bridge Services_PI Release 7.6.2026.pdf All interested persons may request a public hearing be held and/or submit comments to the attention of Rob Zolcak, Project Manager, City of Indianapolis Department of Public Works, Robert.Zolcak@indy.gov or 317-327-7027, or Ryan Scott, NEPA and Permitting Specialist for the project, at rscott@bfsengr.com or 317-713-4615 on or before July 24, 2026. In addition, project information, including the environmental document, may be mailed to interested persons upon request. With advance notice, the City of Indianapolis Department of Public Works will provide accommodations for persons with disabilities with regards to participation and access to project information as part of the hearings process including arranging auxiliary aids, interpretation services for the hearing impaired, services for the sight impaired and other services as needed. In addition, the City of Indianapolis Department of Public Works will provide accommodations for persons of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) requiring auxiliary aids including language interpretation services and document conversion. This notice is published in compliance with: 1) Code of Federal Regulations, Title 23, Section 771 (CFR 771.111(h)(1) stating, "Each State must have procedures approved the FHWA to carry out a public involvement/public hearing program."; 2) 23 CFR 450.210(a)(1)(ix) stating, "Provide for the periodic review of the effectiveness of the public involvement process to ensure that the process provides full and open access to all interested parties and revise the process, as appropriate; and 3) The INDOT Project Development Public Involvement Procedures Manual approved by the Federal Highway Administration on July 7, 2021. July 10, 17 2026 LSBN0552734