Neighborhood Streets Focus Of Latest Circle City Forward Investment

Residential streets past due for repairs will get an overhaul with a new $25 million investment.

The effort is part of the Circle City Forward initiative launched earlier this year. The $190 million investment in Indianapolis parks, facilities and neighborhoods aims to improve quality of life and delivery of services to communities.

City-county councilors worked with the Department of Public Works on an index identifying residential roads most in need of restoration. Council President Vop Osili said any council member will tell you it’s a priority.

“We hear the same message from constituents, in neighborhood meetings, on phone calls and when we’re out in the community,” Osili said. “You need to fix our neighborhood roads.”

The $25 million represents a significant increase from what DPW is usually able to invest in neighborhood streets.  The department expects to reach about 60 lane miles.

Keystone Millersville Neighborhood Association President Alma Trawick said the street repairs  are long overdue.

“I’ve been in my area over 31 years and this street, Temple, has been that bad ever since,” Trawick said.

Pending committee approval, the proposal will go before the full council next month with construction planned to start next year.