STA Proposes Trail Changes for Accelerate 465

(posted Oct 26)

The Speedway Trails Association submitted changes to HNTB Engineer Tim Miller for the proposed trail connections in conjunction with the Accelerate 465 project. Miller discussed the time table for the Speedway/Clermont interchange with STA members at its Oct 22 meeting.

Project construction, including pedestrian paths on the north and south sides of US 136 prior to entering Speedway, and a link between the Conrail and Eagle Creek Trails, should begin early in 2010. The pedestrian paths will have crosswalks at US 136.

STA President Beverly Alexander asked Miller to link the trail to the pedestrian walks and to pave the link. STA member Jeff Smallwood said the Hendricks County Rails To Trails organization was able to make changes to the B & O Trail at Ronald Reagan Parkway in Hendricks County because the group was able to be part of the early planning stages.

Virgil and Diana Hall disliked the idea of having three stop lights when exiting from east bound I-74. Virgil preferred to have roundabouts to avoid the stops.

Miller said the lights are needed for left hand turns. He said HNTB worked with the IMS to move traffic faster. The IMS suggested having a right turn blend lane heading north onto I-465 to avoid a stop light. Miller said he would take the trail suggestions to INDOT and would know within four weeks if the suggestions are workable.

The next meeting is November 25, 6 pm at the Speedway Public Library. The board also approved changing the meetings from the fourth Wednesday of the month to the first Tuesday of the month starting January 6, 2009.