CARMEL, Ind. -- After years of planning, as of Monday, a roughly $43 million project in Carmel is underway.
The project will replace traffic signals with roundabouts at various intersections, including the intersections of 96th Street and Hazel Dell Parkway, 96th Street and Gray Road, 96th Street and Delegates Row, 96th Street and Priority Way, and 96th Street and Keystone Parkway.
The Keystone Parkway portion of the project includes the construction of a major new interchange with grade separation—meaning Keystone will be elevated over 96th Street, with roundabout-controlled ramps, similar to the U.S. 31 interchanges at 106th and 116th Streets.
The good news is there is no complete road closure while construction is underway, but there are some traffic changes you’ll need to know about.
Right now, Keystone Parkway is down to two lanes in both northbound and southbound directions, and 96th Street is moved to the south lanes and reduced to one lane in each direction.
One local business isn’t too worried about the project.
When customers come into the Hot Room Indianapolis (located on 96th Street) with headaches from the road work, Studio Manager Laura Burdick said she has an easy response.
"We just tell them, if the construction is bumming you out, you need more yoga!" said Burdick.
"When it started or when it was kind of coming along the pike, we were a little worried about the disruption it would cause, but once we saw the plans, we really felt like it was going to be a positive change for this strip of Indianapolis, that would eventually drive more traffic,” said Burdick.
Burdick said there have been customers who have shown up a little late for class with the work being done, but said that’s just fine.
She said she’s excited for the future of Carmel and thinks this project will benefit the community in the long run.
“It seems like it’s moving in the right direction in terms of traffic flow, giving people easier access places. It’s hard to envision what it’s going to be and how it’s going to still maintain all of the traffic flow with the roundabouts, but just try to trust that someone who really knows what they’re doing has thought about it,” said Burdick.
Though road work doesn't impact Hot Room Indianapolis too badly, it does impact another type of business.
“It's messing with my work as well as my hours,” said Quintez Morris, a landscape foreman for Wild Ridge Lawn & Landscape.
“Since I can't touch this area, I'm out of here quicker. I'm out of here faster than I'm supposed to be," said Morris.
Morris said the atmosphere, in general, is chaotic.
"Traffic buildup, it's just a lot going on in a little spot,” said Morris.
Unlike Burdick, Morris isn't sold on the transition to roundabouts.
"This area right here, I don't think a roundabout it going to make any difference. I think they should have just sticked with the lights and made them just a little bit faster. But the roundabout? It’s not gonna work,” said Morris.
But, at the end of the day, take it from Burdick—all that is needed is a little faith.
“Just gotta trust the process,” said Burdick.
The hope is for the interchange project to be completed by 2019.
If you wish to avoid delays or backups, you can always use U.S. 31 or Allisonville Rd as an alternate route.
