Crawfordsville Road Pedestrian Improvement Project Open House Delivers Positive Interest, Comments, and Suggestions from Speedway Residents
Speedway residents can expect to see improved traffic flow and safer pedestrian access along Crawfordsville Road thanks to a major project that includes new sidewalks, upgraded pedestrian crossings, and additional traffic signals.
The Town of Speedway recently hosted an open house for residents and interested parties to view the concepts and draft plans for the Crawfordsville Road Pedestrian Improvement Project. To position the Town with a better understanding of how this project may impact residents and businesses, the community was invited to learn more about the project and provide feedback.
“The open house was well attended and the information we provided was received with lots of interest, positive comments, and good suggestions,” said Town Manager Grant Kleinhenz. “The residents and the Town are focused on connectivity and improved access, and we believe the proposed improvements will create a better traffic flow and a safer pedestrian environment on the west side of Town.”
The Crawfordsville Road Pedestrian Improvement Project was announced in 2022 when the Town applied for funding through the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (IMPO) for the improvement of pedestrian facilities along Crawfordsville Road. The project will provide new sidewalks, upgraded pedestrian crossings and a traffic signal at the Kohl’s entrance as well as a small intersection improvement to the south side of Crawfordsville Road on Cunningham Road in front of CVS. Improvements & impacts identified as part of this project include:
- 0.289 acres of permanent right of way will be required.
- Permanent right of way will be acquired from 5 property owners.
- Only commercial properties will have right of way acquired.
- Temporary right of way may be required from 4 property owners.
- Temporary traffic control will impact lanes on Crawfordsville Road and Cunningham Road. No road closures are anticipated.
- Cunningham Road will have a new HAWK signal similar to the current HAWK signal located at Cunningham Road and 18th Street / Buick Drive.
- Crawfordsville Road will have a new HAWK signal allowing users to activate each direction separately at the edge of the road and from the median push buttons.
In 2022, the Town of Speedway was awarded $2,340,800 in State funds, to be available in 2025. The Town submitted consideration for this project to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (IMPO), which is responsible for planning and programming state and federal transportation funds in the eight-county Central Indiana region. Projects are judged based on such criteria as improvements to congestion, safety, pavement quality and more. Speedway was one of 15 communities and agencies in the region selected to receive IMPO funds.
The total cost of the Crawfordsville Road Pedestrian Improvement Project is $3,809,235, with 62% – $2,340,800 – of it coming from funding through the IMPO. The Town is applying for additional funding through the Indianapolis Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program as Crawfordsville Road is owned by the City of Indianapolis and will use funds on hand to pay the difference.
The project design plan will be finalized in 2024 and the project is slated to go to bid in December 2024. Construction should begin in spring 2025; however, the planned work is subject to change as final bid pricing, available funds, and seasonal weather conditions will dictate the completion of projects during the actual construction season.
