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City staff: Nickel Plate ribbon cutting targeted for July as multiple trail projects move to construction
Summary
City staff reported Nickel Plate nearing completion with a likely July ribbon cutting, awarded bids for Pope’s Run phase 3 and Grassy Creek, construction underway on Eagle Creek segments, and discussed aligning bikeshare stations with trail openings and longer-term bridge funding from the MPO.
City staff gave the Indianapolis City trails advisory committee a status update on multiple trail projects and funding timelines on Monday.
Bill Kinchens of the Department of Public Works’ Trails and Greenways team said the Nickel Plate section is finishing punch-list work and is “supposed to be ready for the July 1 for a ribbon cutting.” He said the project is not yet open to the public. “Contain your enthusiasm for now,” Kinchens added.
Kinchens said Pope’s Run phase 3—the connection between Art Nature Park and Brookside Park—successfully went to bid and that the construction contract was awarded and should begin soon, with possible completion by year-end. Grassy Creek, a former rail corridor project, also bid successfully and will move to construction soon.
Staff described active construction on sections of the Eagle Creek Trail between Dandy Trail and I‑465 and said a later segment from I‑465 to Washington Street will be advertised for bid by the end of the year. The committee was told the MPO has identified future funding in later fiscal years to complete a remaining connection from Washington Street to the current end of Eagle Creek at McCarty.
Committee members discussed pairing trail openings with organized first rides or community activities and with Pacers Bikeshare station placement to encourage immediate use after ribbon cuttings. City staff said the timing of bike-share installations depends on the bikeshare operator’s business model, and recommended early coordination as projects move from design to bid.
Other items noted: the B&O (speedway) section is being handled by another agency for construction but the city expects to assume maintenance responsibilities in the future; several planned bridge projects are funded in MPO years 2028–2030; and staff confirmed that new trail developments generally do not include public restrooms.
The committee also discussed using ribbon cuttings as recruitment opportunities and asked public information officers to include the committee in publicity when construction projects near completion.
No new funding or ordinance was approved at the meeting; these were project status updates and outreach coordination discussions.
