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City staff reports progress on Forti Street, trails and LEAP District utilities
Summary
City project manager Kevin Krulich updated the Parks Board on multiple infrastructure and trail projects, including Forti Street phases, Witt Road and Noble Street timelines, Midland Trail planning, Stoneeater Bike Park drainage work, park court reconstructions and utility conflicts at the Big 4 trailhead related to the LEAP District.
Kevin Krulich, speaking for Lebanon City, briefed the Board of Parks Commissioners on multiple public-works and trail projects across the city.
Krulich said work on Forti Street is nearing completion for phase 1 and that phase 2 is ahead of schedule; pavement work for phase 2 was slated for the week of May 27 and the contractual completion date for the overall project is Aug. 1. "That trail is complete. Sod is placed. Street lights are up," he said of phase 1, and added the project is "well ahead of the schedule."
He reported Witt Road has environmental approval and is entering right-of-way appraisal and acquisition; construction of Witt Road is scheduled for 2027. Noble Street is not scheduled for construction until 2030. Krulich described the Midland Trail as a long-range corridor proposal linking Noblesville to Lebanon and beyond; a revised plan will be brought to city council and the board of works and considered for the parks master plan.
On local trail facilities, Krulich reported a recent meeting about Stoneeater Bike Park with a representative of the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association to address drainage issues; he named Fred Krotczyk of HMBA as assisting with on-the-ground repairs and a planned volunteer workday. Krulich also provided details on pickleball court reconstruction at Memorial Park and Abner Longley Park, noting Memorial Park pavement is down and fencing installation has begun; Abner Longley courts are being reconstructed using a "slip sheet" approach with a 2-inch perimeter curb, compacted stone in a 2-inch void and 4 inches of asphalt on top.
Krulich said the fishing pier at Admiral Longley Park is now ADA accessible with a completed ADA ramp and that the first phase of the park perimeter path is scheduled for paving as weather allows. He reported the Big 4 trailhead at Sam Ralston Park is under contract, but utility work for the LEAP District — including a large lift station and dual 24-inch force mains that Lebanon Utilities plans to install — may delay the trailhead and parking-lot work by a year or two; contractors advised against boring under the new parking lot while the utility installation is active.
Krulich said an RFP is being prepared for demolition at 312 Thompson Street and that Triangle Asphalt is being consulted for resurfacing work in that area. He also reported CSX must complete crossings at 450 North and 375 North for portions of the LEAP District and that the US 52/I-65 interchange project has begun with lane shifts but no full lane closures planned. Krulich said INDOT is part of early discussions about potential relinquishment of State Road 39 to improve pedestrian connectivity.
Why it matters: These projects affect trail and street networks, access to parks and planned construction timing for major corridors; several projects will require coordination across city departments, utilities and state or rail partners.
No formal board action was taken on the updates; Krulich’s briefing functioned as an informational update and identified scheduling and right-of-way tasks that will return to the board and council as formal items when required.
