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Commissioners agree to defer Dunbar Road trail decision to Sheridan council, warn of federal-funding loss
Summary
After lengthy debate, Hamilton County commissioners said they will acquiesce to Sheridan's request to remove a multiuse trail from a Dunbar Road project if the town council formally votes to do so; staff warned removing the trail could cost the town federal funding and alter traffic projections.
Hamilton County commissioners on Aug. 25 discussed the Dunbar Road reconstruction project and whether to include a 10-foot multiuse trail that would accompany the roadway. After extended discussion about traffic projections, safety and federal funding, the board voted to accept Sheridan's request to remove the trail provided the town council issues an official resolution directing that change.
County staff presented background on the project and said federal funding is competitive; staff said removing the trail could cause the town to lose roughly $1.25 million in federal funds that would otherwise pay for the trail portion of the project. Highway and administration staff described projected traffic increases along the corridor tied to ongoing INDOT work on U.S. 31 and presented traffic counts: about 2,024 vehicles per day in February 2024 with engineering projections showing substantial growth over 20 years (staff cited a projection of 14,400 vehicles per day in two decades).
Several commissioners urged caution, noting safety advantages of providing a separated multiuse path given anticipated traffic increases and recreational destinations such as a planned water park in the corridor. Others said the road project is necessary regardless of the trail decision and that Sheridan is the local jurisdiction for the portion of Dunbar where the trail was proposed.
Commissioners asked Sheridan to provide a clear council vote or resolution if it wants the path removed; the board then made a motion stating the county would acquiesce to the town's decision if the town council formally rescinds or amends the prior representation to county staff. That motion carried.
The board emphasized that the county's role included supplying local match dollars and coordinating federal funding but said that final decision on the trail rests with Sheridan as the local jurisdiction. Staff will request and expect a formal council resolution from Sheridan before removing the trail from the project documents.
