INDOT hosts open house for upcoming project

MOORESVILLE — The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) held an open house Wednesday evening at the Mooresville Government Center to provide information and to hear public input on a construction project taking place on Ind. 42 (High St.) that is scheduled for 2021.

According to Nick Batta, project designer and manager with design company Crawford, Murphy and Tilly (CMT), the purpose of this project is to replace the pavement, curbs and sidewalks along Ind. 42.

“It’s, first and foremost, a pavement project,” said Batta. “The pavement, especially the base, is nearing the end of it’s useful life, so we’re gonna replace part of the pavement, make improvements to the base under the pavement, and then replace the curbs. By and large, we’re not widening the road or anything. It’ll operate, after this project, like it does today — one lane in each direction, parking lane on each side.”

Batta said that the project would also help update the town’s drainage infrastructure.

“We’re gonna make some drainage improvements, replace some of the pipes, clean out some of the ditches,” said Batta.

Batta also said that the town was considering adding a shared-use path for cyclists and pedestrians along the north side of Ind. 42.

Many Mooresville residents in attendance said that they were happy to see the project being undertaken and suggested changes that they would like to see made to the project for INDOT’s consideration.

“I think it’s a good idea,” said Pamela Siddons, attorney and owner of Siddons Law Office LLC. “The road’s needed some repair for quite some time, and I’m glad they’re looking at a walking and biking path. I do think that some of the corner should be widened more than they’re looking at for safety’s sake. Overall, I think it’s good, and I think more people should comment to them as to what they would like to have.”

According to INDOT Project Manager Richard Gilyeat, INDOT wanted to partner with the town and get input from residents to ensure that the project went as smoothly and successfully as possible.

“This is a big project so we wanted to get people’s input,” said Gilyeat. “It’s nice to work with the town officials because they saw the benefit and they helped set this up. … We’re trying to make it a true partnership.”

Local government officials said that they were pleased that the town and INDOT were able to work together.

“I’m anxious to get it done,” said superintendent of Mooresville Public Works Dave Moore. “I think it’s been a long time coming. I’m really happy to see it on the horizon.”

“I think it’s a good opportunity for the town and the state to work together,” said town councilman, redevelopment commission member and planning commission member Joe Beikman. “I think the town is silly if they don’t do it.”

Mooresville Redevelopment Commission Consultant Chelsey Manns agreed with Beikman and Moore.

“I’m excited,” said Manns. “From the redevelopment commission standpoint, Ind. 42 is part of the gateway project, so it’s silly for us to not partner with them to save us some money and still implement a lot of what we intended to happen so it just makes sense. It’s a good opportunity for the town and the state.”

Mooresville Town Council President Tom Warthen shared a similar sentiment, noting that it was not often that local and state governments partner together.

“This is a clear cut case of the state wanting to partner with local government,” said Warthen. “We’re excited about them wanting to repair the infrastructure within the town of Mooresville and we’re also excited about the fact that they’ve asked us for our input and allowed us to partner.

“Usually when we see a state project, historically states, counties, local governments have never teamed up or worked well together… It gives us the opportunity to protect the infrastructure that we as taxpayers have paid for.”

According to information provided at the open house, INDOT anticipates having another public meeting January 2019, and those with questions can contact INDOT Customer Service at 855-463-6848.

By Anthony Woodside | Reporter | Published July 28, 2018 in The Mooresville-Decatur Times