Fishers begins design work for Nickel Plate bridge at 96th Street
With the Nickel Plate Trail tunnel downtown now open, Fishers officials are speeding ahead to build a pedestrian bridge over 96th Street to connect to Indianapolis.
The city has committed $6.1 million for the bridge and paving of the trail from 106th Street to 96th, the last leg to be completed. It will link to the planned trail in Indianapolis, which will extend south to the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
The Public Works and Safety Committee Tuesday approved a $453,400 contract with Butler Fairman & Seufurt, of Indianapolis, to design the bridge and trail extension.
The bulk of the work will be paid for with a $4.5 million Next Level Trails state grant Fishers was awarded in April. The city will contribute an additional 25% of the grant amount. Indianapolis received a $5 million Next Level grant to build the trail. The city has not yet started work.
More:Nickel Plate Trail to link Fishers to Indianapolis thanks to $9.5M in grants
In addition, Noblesville received a $3.1 million grant to build its first leg of the Nickel Plate. A bridge over 146th Street will likely be need to connect Fishers and Noblesville.
Fishers officials set a goal of opening the last leg of the trail by the spring or summer of 2023 and the bridge in late 2023 or early 2024.
More:Fishers offering $46,000 for murals at Nickel Plate Trail
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Nickel Plate Trail tunnel open, bridge to connect Indianapolis begins
