I keep hearing about a possible future new bridge to connect Carmel and Fishers. Is that true?
Yes, both Fishers and Carmel are working on new pedestrian and bicycle bridge connecting both cities over the White River in the very near future.
Both the bridge and the new trail will provide scenic overlooks of the river and should be great locations for viewing wildlife.
As you know, there are very limited crossings between Carmel and Fishers. The oldest are the bridges along 116th and 146th Streets. Several years ago, a 96th Street bridge was added to allow for more traffic to accommodate daily commuters to and from Carmel. Now it is time to work on more connections … and the planning phases are already underway.
The White River pedestrian and bicycle bridge, funded through the Clay Township Impact Program, will be located at approximately the 126th Street alignment. This $4.3 million project includes construction of the bridge and a short trail that will connect into the existing White River Greenway within River Road Park on the Carmel side of the river.
Both the bridge and the new trail will provide scenic overlooks of the river and should be great locations for viewing wildlife.
The second phase of this multi-jurisdictional project will include construction of an eastside connecting trail by the City of Fishers from their Allisonville Road perimeter trail to the new bridge.
Once both phases are completed, this new bridge will serve to connect the trail networks of both Carmel and Fishers.
The new bridge and westside trail connection are currently being designed with the first phase of construction anticipated to begin in 2022 and be completed in 2023.
Design and construction of the second phase trail connection on the eastside will likely not begin before 2023. Conner Prairie is donating easements for construction of the bridge and trails.
Authored by Laura Campbell, Sue Finkam, Kevin Rider, Jeff Worrell, Sue Finkam, Bruce Kimball, Miles Nelson, Anthony Green and Adam Aasen.