As many of you know the Zionsville Town Council, at their meeting on November 3rd, passed two resolutions regarding road reconfiguration at the south end of Main Street and First Street.
The resolutions were to both approve the plan as presented and fund the acquisition of land to support the plan. According to the mayor and the towns Director of Public Works the resolutions needed to be approved in order for Zionsville to receive a $4 million-dollar READI grant from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. The grant money was at risk of going to another community that already had an approved project in the works.
After a presentation of various options (1 – 7) from the engineering firm hired to develop the plan option 7 was approved as recommended by the firm and the town staff. This includes a double roundabout to be constructed to connect 1st St, Main St, and South Main St. Several other significant changes are part of the plan including a stop light and “intersection improvements” at 1st and Oak Street.
The plan does not include specific details especially regarding walkways, bikeways, and public safety. The traffic consultant working with the Town indicated those were still being discussed.
In addition to these roadway changes, I want to note a portion of the newly proposed Comprehensive Plan relating to Village roads. In the Transportation section of the proposed Plan, the Town would “functionally change” the state classification of the Oak St./First St./Sycamore St. road corridor from “secondary artery” to a “primary artery.” And it would change Starkey Road from a “local road” to a “secondary collector” road. Both changes may have major design standard implications for these roadways going forward.
I wanted you to know that the VRA and Main Street Zionsville are working together to make sure our constituents are kept informed about this major project that will have a significant impact on our town, and especially Village residents and merchants.
We will hold a special joint meeting once more details about the project are forthcoming. We anticipate this occurring in January after the holidays. We will be inviting both the mayor and town council members to address the project and answer questions.
Until then please keep an eye out for VRA communication on the project and any updates from the town. Also, if you have specific questions, please don’t hesitate to email me. Although I can’t guarantee I know the answer I’m happy to discuss the project with you.
Mark