Carmel outlines phased reconstruction of North College Avenue; residents warn of cut-through traffic

City of Carmel engineering staff on March 17 outlined plans to reconstruct North College Avenue in three phases, saying the project will begin “on or after March 17” and will include a targeted 60-day closure of the 96th Street intersection with College Avenue.

City Engineer Brad Pease said the work will be completed in three phases, with the first phase — the stretch between 90th Street and 465 (roughly 96th Street/College area) — scheduled to start March 17 and be finished by July 4. “This is a project that’ll be completed in three phases,” Pease said. He and other presenters described Phase 1 as the most disruptive because it will include the planned 60-day full closure of east–west traffic at 96th Street to build the roundabout there.

Why it matters: the reconstruction will replace pavement and install a new water main, add sidewalks and multiuse paths, and construct multiple roundabouts, changes city staff say are intended to improve safety and pedestrian connectivity but that will reroute traffic during construction.

Joshua Kirsch, senior staff with the engineering department, told residents the city will keep local connectivity as much as possible. “We are committed to maintaining traffic in the city’s right of way and connectivity,” Kirsch said, and staff pledged to coordinate temporary drives or metal/stone plates so businesses on the east side of College Avenue can remain accessible throughout construction.

Project schedule and major elements - Phase 1 (March 17–July 4 window): work between 90th Street and the 465 area; includes a targeted 60-day closure of 96th Street east–west at College…