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.  

INDIANAPOLIS

Completed:

  • College Avenue: is Open!

  • Broad Ripple RiverWalk to connect Broad Ripple Park to the Monon Trail is completed. Indy DPW will be planting trees to finish this project by Spring 2024.

  • Fall Creek Trail Phase 2:  This update connects Fall Creek Trail Phase I at Burdsal Parkway and the Central Canal to the White River Trail at Indiana Avenue and 10th Street. The project includes a 350-foot pedestrian bridge across Fall Creek, just north of West 16th Street. 

  • Riverside Promenade:  The trail spans from 16th Street to 29th Street along the east side of Riverside Park. 

  • Kessler Blvd bridge over White River. Completed and is open to the public.

  • IU Health Multi-Use Connector from Fall Creek Blvd to 21st St. along Capitol Ave. was just recently completed. This project installed a multi-use path along the sidewalk within the existing right-of-way along Capitol Avenue from Fall Creek Blvd. S. Drive to 25th Street. The path will improve multimodal connectivity between future IU Health infrastructure, the Fall Creek Trail, Barton Park and the 22nd Street Cycle Track.

    • Most of the work has been substantially completed, though not officially “open”. Ribbon cutting may occur in spring, but the trail is good to use.

In Construction:

  • 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. It will cost approximately $2.1 million. Key features include 56 ADA ramps, 6 crosswalks and 5,452 feet of trail. Project broke ground at the start of the year and is still ongoing. Late 2024 completion.

  • The Michigan Street Road diet will include bike lanes connecting West Indy to the Michigan St. This is making great progress and should be completed in 2024. Contractor is back on the project after stopping for the winter. First week of April, they will complete the concrete restoration from the CEG lead service line replacement work and also start asphalt patching. Mid-2024 completion.

  • Michigan St from White River Pkwy to Holmes Ave on the west side of White River: Anticipated finish in late spring/early summer 2024. Landscaped islands are present between the cycle track and the general auto traffic, with breaks for intersections and driveways.

  • 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. Project broke ground at the start of the year and is still ongoing. CEG has partnered with the city to add in lead service line replacements along the project zone. Stil looking towards a finish by the end of the year.

  • 22nd St Cycle Track: Installing a cycle track along 22nd St. between A.J. Brown Ave and Capital Avenue. The western portion of this project is open. Eastern portion will continue work into 2024. Phase still under construction. Due to minor delays, project extended with a new substantial completion date of June 30, 2024.

  • West Morris Street Revitalization from Eagle Creek to Harding Street includes a multi-use trail. 

    • Morris St. is under construction. Work is currently on curb and sidewalks on the north side of the road with one way traffic (westbound) on the south lanes. Asphalt on the south lanes is up to Intermediate levels with additional surface to be placed later. Eastbound traffic is detoured on Minnesota St. Completion is planned for start of Fall 2024.

  • Nickel Plate Trail construction has begun. Plans include a multi-modal trail from 42nd & the Monon Trail, east to the existing Nickel Plate, north to 96th Street. The project includes multi-use spur connections at 62nd Street east to Eastwood Middle School and on 86th west to Sahm Park. Combined with the Midland Trace and Monon trails, the Nickel Plate Trail will create a 41-mile loop spanning multiple counties. 

    • Closure of Fall Creek Parkway North Drive - April 15-30
      Full closure of Fall Creek Parkway at Evanston Avenue to allow for the full removal of the railroad crossing. The roadway will be patched with new asphalt, and a section of the concrete median and curbs will be replaced on each side of the road. Detour routes will be clearly marked to minimize inconvenience for commuters and residents during this period.

    • More info can be found on our website: https://www.indy.gov/activity/nickel-plate-trail-gt-06-001

  • Pogue's Run Greenway: Phases two and three are now under construction. Phase 2 will start at Commerce and Brookside N Dr, continue east through Spade Park and Brookside Park and end at 21st & Olney. 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.

    • The construction is under way, undercuts and aggregate have been placed at most locations of the trail.  Intermediate asphalt has also been placed.  Construction of pipe and concrete work will be performed at the beginning of the new year.

  • Indianapolis Cultural Trail Expansion: This project will expand the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: South Street from Capitol Avenue to New Jersey Street and along the Indiana Avenue and 10th Street corridor.

  • The 30th St. bridge over White River is still closed. Project is still ongoing, but there have been some complications with the limestone material in the bridge. The subcontractor is installing stone on the new piers & end bents. Due to some unforseen delays with the historic emenities, completion date is now September 2025. 

Construction Beginning Soon: 

  • The White River Innovation District which will begin construction in 2023 also includes bike facilities. 

In Design:

  • 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: Currently at 90% design completion.Current schedule has opening bids in March 2024 with construction beginning in early Summer 2024.  Construction may last into the 2025 construction season, depending on weather and other factors. Another public information meeting is planned for early next year prior to bid opening to present the final design and go over what to expect during construction. More details on that public meeting to come.

    • 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.  

  • The Henry Street Bridge is in design and will have an Indianapolis Cultural Trail extension. 

  • 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: In design for an anticipated 2025-2026 construction.

  • Madison Ave from Martin to Hanna Ave: Design anticipated to start in early 2024 for a 2025-2026 construction.

  • Madison Ave from Pleasant Run Pkwy to Martin St: Design anticipated to start summer of 2024. Submitted for funding for FY 2027. If awarded, construction would start late 2026 through 2027.

    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: Indy DPW is working to complete design and planning work for Phase 2 of the Monon widening from 56th to 96th. Construction is 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.

  • Guilford Road and Old Meridian Street: Underground infrastructure replacement work will begin taking place on West Main Street between Guilford Road and Old Meridian Street. This will result in the closure of a short section of West Main Street for up to eight weeks beginning on or after Monday, January 15.

    • A separate pedestrian and bicycle detour will be in place along Main Street for the duration of the road closure.

  • 96th Street Path Project: On or after November 13, tree removal will begin on the north side of West 96th Street between Spring Mill Road and Ditch Road to make way for paths and a pedestrian bridge along 96th Street. Construction on the multi-use path will begin in the summer of 2024. 

    • Tree clearing will also begin along East 96th Street and north along the east side of Haverstick Road up to East 99th Street for a separate path project. Construction on the multi-use path will begin in the summer of 2024. 

    • Additional path projects along various roads and streets will continue throughout the winter to fill miscellaneous gaps in the more than 200-miles of existing multi-use paths.

  • 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. 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. 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.

  • Gray Road Path - 106th to 116th Street: Beginning on or after April 10, work will begin to replace the sidewalk along the east side of Gray Road with a new multi-use path. This is near completion.

  • PATH PROJECTS: Several path projects are in the works around the City of Carmel. Most of these are filling gaps in the existing network, some are crosswalks with rapid flashing beacons. In addition to these smaller projects, the City has much larger pedestrian connectivity projects in phases of design.

  • 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)

NOBLESVILLE

  • Riverwalk Trail going to the South Side Park is still closed due to the Pleasant Street Bypass construction, it will likely be closed until 2024.

FISHERS

  • Nickel Plate Trail:  The City of Fishers has completed the Fishers portion of the Nickel Plate Trail between Hague Road and 106th Street. Coordination and planning are underway with Indianapolis for the final phase between Hague Road and the crossing of 96th Street. Future plans also include a trailhead at the Delaware Township Government Center. The city and the township are chipping in dollars to create a path along 131st Street from Lantern Road to the trail.

  • Geist Greenway Project is now open between Valley Crossing to 126th Street. Work has resumed on the trail south of Valley Crossing Drive and will remain closed until construction is finished. Construction continues to take place along Florida Road between Bowline Drive and 104th Street. For general project information, please visit https://playfishers.com/299/Geist-Greenway 

  • Trail Gap Connections:  In 2024, the City of Fishers, IN will invest in trail gaps and continue to work toward the trail plan outlined in Fishers 2040 Comprehensive Plan to connect residents to the major trail thoroughfares in Fishers.
    - 126th from Lantern to Allisonville
    - 106th from Hoosier to Cumberland
    - Lantern Road 116th to Heritage Meadows Trail

  • Pedestrian Bridge at 106th over White River: Access to a portion of Heritage Park’s loop trail that runs adjacent to the river through the woods will be restricted beginning the week of March 4, click here for an ariel view. During this time, temporary construction fencing is going up to prepare for construction. Beginning the week of March 11, tree clearing will commence between the park and river. Bridge construction will follow beginning in May. Construction is expected to occur Monday through Saturday beginning at 7 a.m. 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

The Zionsville Big-4 Rail Trail is Open!

  • Big-4 Trail activity will be up on May 17th during the Big-4 Rail Trail Town Showdown with Whitestown. Each community will have organized walk/bike rides and the community with the most population percentage in attendance will receive the Golden Bike Tire Trophy.

PLAINFIELD

  • Vandalia Trail: Open through Franklin Park, however, there is still a short trail detour around the new residential development under construction just east of Center Street.

  • The 2.3-mile extension of the Vandalia Trail to the East is open.

  • Most of the remaining western section of this trail extension will be built as part of the Hobbs Station development that is underway as well. At the east end, this extension will connect with Plainfield's existing trailhead and trail section at Raceway Road and is also eagerly followed by White Lick Creek and Vandalia Trail Alliance, Inc.

  • If successful with their Next Level Trails grant application just submitted, Hendricks County Parks & Recreation will be adding another 2.5 miles going west from the town of Clayton in the next year or two.  (Link to more details)

  • (https://www.facebook.com/WLCVTA) promoting its connection to those future trails in Marion County.

HANCOCK COUNTY

  • Pennsy Trail: Working on plans to expand the trail east of 400W connecting the gap between Greenfield and Cumberland is 400W-150W. 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.

HENDRICKS COUNTY

  • B&O Trail: Nearing completion of land acquisition and design and engineering for the section of B&O Trail from Raceway Rd to High School Rd.  From that point the trail has already been completed to Michigan St. by the Speedway Trails Association.  Bids expected in late June or early July with construction to occur late summer through the fall.  Tentative trail completion date in the Spring of 2025 at which time the B&O Trail will be a continuous paved trail from downtown Indy to nearly the center of Hendricks County (16 miles).