26 Central Indiana Projects to Receive $80 Million in Funding
Monon/86th Bridge Approved for Funding in 2030
(February 19, 2025) The Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (IMPO) Transportation Policy Committee has awarded $80.1 million to fund 26 key projects across Central Indiana. These projects aim to improve regional connectivity, enhance road safety, promote cleaner air, and preserve essential infrastructure addressing the diverse needs of local communities while supporting the region’s rapidly growing population and economy.
The award list below includes 26 projects from 12 local public agencies, amounting to $64.8 million in funds awarded for construction in SFY 2028. The attached recommendation also features 2 Transportation Alternatives (TA) projects, totaling $15.3 million in awarded funds for construction in SFY 2029 and SFY 2030. These timelines provide agencies with the necessary time for design development and regulatory assessments. The funds listed represent IMPO’s contribution to the costs of the construction phase. Local agencies supply additional funding to match and cover all expenses for preliminary engineering and right-of-way phases.
Full packet from IndyMPO 2/19/25 meeting
Pedestrian bridges coming to notorious Monon, Nickel Plate Trail intersections (Indy Star)
More than $80 million awarded for 26 infrastructure projects in central Indiana (WRTV)
Monon/86th Project Report
Monon/86th Project Report Presentation (CLICK HERE to view slides)
Monon/86th Project Report Presentation (VIDEO) - held 1/27/25
Monon/86th Traffic Study Compilation Video
We installed a tactical urbanism project and art in the right of way June -September 2024. Tactical Urbanism installation included curb bumpouts, adding crosswalks with pedestrian refuges, adding flex posts to delineated the curb bumpouts, adding rumble strips. Art in the right of way involved painting a mural of railroad tracks on the sidewalks and adding colorful stenciled artwork. More than 100 volunteers were involved in the project.
During the project we recorded video, did 2 safety surveys, evaluated 5 hours of video, had students from Butler University analyze the safety surveys, did a speed study (spoiler: speed is not a factor). We have provided recommendations of what could be changed and have resources from Strong Towns Crash Analysis Studio with additional ideas for improvements. We updated folks on the city of Indianapolis' efforts for funding a bridge and IndyMPO's recommendation for a bridge in 2030.
To summarize, the project found and confirmed the following:
1) People appreciated the safety improvements but still didn't feel safe crossing the intersection. The fact that flex posts continued to get hit/damaged, albeit at a slower rate as the project went on, confirmed that it is a dangerous intersection and this probably impacted trail users' feeling of safety.
2) The fact that drivers, over time, learned to not hit the flex posts as often proves infrastructure can change behavior and more solid and permanent infrastructure changes to the intersection are needed.
3) There are a lot of dangerous motorist behaviors occurring during the trail-only phase, when all signals are red and the trail users have a walk signal.
4) There are many pedestrians and bicyclists who use the sidewalks on the north and south sides of 86th St. Building a bridge only fixes 1/3 of the intersection.
5) There is a need for hard infrastructure to be installed as soon as possible.
6) A bridge is needed for trail users AND drivers. While it is a positive development that IndyMPO has recommended funding for a bridge in 2030, waiting until 2030 is too long.
Next Steps:
1. Advocate for more permanent changes to the intersection
2. Advocate for the city to pursue funding opportunities sooner than 2030.
Check this page for future updates: www.bgindy.com/for/Monon86thProject on action items and talking points for public comments.
News coverage of the Monon/86th Project Report & Celebration:
Community group works to improve pedestrian, cyclist safety on Indy's north side (WTHR)
A pedestrian bridge on the Monon over 86th Street recommended for federal funding (Fox59)
News coverage of IndyMPO approving funding for bridge at Monon/86th St:
Pedestrian bridges coming to notorious Monon, Nickel Plate Trail intersections
Monon/86th Street
The intersection crossing of the Monon Trail at 86th Street is one of the most dangerous pedestrian and bicyclist crossings in the city of Indianapolis, as noted by numerous crashes and injuries. This intersection is not just any crossroad; it's a bustling hub where more than one million trail users annually and an average of 35,000 vehicles daily converge.
Why is this important?
The 86th Street and Monon Trail intersection continues to be a crash-prone crossing for pedestrians and bicyclists. This specific intersection has led to many near-misses, crashes, injuries and even deaths.
In the fall of 2021, Bicycle Garage Indy's beloved employee Frank Radaker was killed at this intersection while riding his bike to work. Since then we have been working with Nora Alliance and other community organizations and individuals to effect change at this intersection. We have focused on changes that can be made immediately to improve safety until such time as the ultimate solution of a bridge or tunnel can be built.
The loss we experienced is not an isolated case but a symptom of a larger problem that needs immediate attention. We cannot afford any more losses due to inadequate safety measures at this intersection. The current safety measures are insufficient to protect those who use this trail. Strong Towns Crash Analysis Studio January 2023 pointed out factors creating the dangers at this intersection and made recommendations of short-term and long-term fixes for the safety of all who travel through the intersection.
We have been working on getting a permit for a Tactical Urbanism and Art in the Right of Way project to hopefully pave the way for more permanent changes until a bridge or tunnel can be built. We also hope the changes made in our project can be made permanent as an interim measure and also duplicated throughout the city of Indianapolis where greenways intersect with roadways.
We are asking for action to remedy the impact of future crashes, injuries and death. Action items could include, but not limited to:
- Raised crossing walkway
- Corner bumpouts
- Installation of pedestrian refuge in the center of 86th St.
- Upgrading signals to be black exterior and include reflective borders
- Install additional signage leading up to and at the intersection
- Paint on the roadway with "TRAIL XING" prior to the intersection
- Gateway signage
- Lower speed limit to 20 mph from Westfield Blvd to Nora Plaza
We want to work with the city of Indianapolis to ensure the Monon Trail continues to be a safe and accessible for all people and lives up to its designation as a Rails-to-Trail Hall of Fame Trail.
Monon/86th Project is a temporary tactical urbanism project to improve safety at the intersection of Monon/86th. Partners are Nora Alliance, Bicycle Garage Indy, YMCA, Washington Township schools, community organizations and volunteers. Funding for this project was provided by Indiana State Department of Health ($10k) and CIBA Foundation ($5k). Permits were approved by Indianapolis Business & Neighborhood Services and Indianapolis Department of Public Works.
- On Friday, June 14, we installed the curb bumpouts, temporary bollards and temporary crosswalk. PHOTOS
- On Saturday, June 15, we installed temporary rumble strips and started marking and painting the sidewalk. PHOTOS
- On Sunday, June 16, we installed additional temporary crosswalks and finished painting the sidewalk on the north side of the road and continued taping out the sidewalk art on the south side of 86th St. PHOTOS
- On Monday, June 17, we finished taping, priming and painting the south sidewalk. PHOTOS
- On Tuesday July 2, a group of volunteers replaced 11 of the 13 bollards and on July 18 & July 23 colorful stenciled artwork was added to the sidewalk train tracks by YMCA teen group PHOTOS
- Between July 18 & 23, Indianapolis DPW refreshed the Monon Crosswalk across 86th, moved the stop line further from the intersection, and added a permanent crosswalk on the north side of 86th St.
- Crosswalk on south side of 86th St, and widening of crosswalk across 86th St to be installed by Indianapolis DPW - TBD
- “TRAIL XING” in travel lanes on 86th St to be installed by Indianapolis DPW - TBD
Update: We have replaced numerous bollards/flex posts over the course of the project and purchased orange cones as replacements.
Update: On 9/17/24, we met with BNS and DPW representatives and were given permission to keep the project up, minus the rumble strips, and they were going to look at more interim materials to put in place where the flexposts and marked tape areas are. On 9/21/24, 7 volunteers removed the rumble strips.
Multiple bollards damaged in safety project at 86th and the Monon (WTHR)
IMPD Beefing Up Patrols near 86th Street and Monon Trail (Fox 59)
Safety improvements possibly coming to Monon Trail's 86th Street crossing (WRTV)
New initiative aims to make crossing at 86th Street and Monon Trail safer (WTHR)
Indy DPW applying for federal grants to build Monon and Nickel Plate Trail bridges (WRTV)
IMPD beefing up patrols near 86th Street and Monon Trail (CBS4)
Monon Trail bridge at 86th Street should serve as memorial to promote bicycle safety (IndyStar)
Indy leaders looking for public input for pedestrian bridges connecting trails over busy roads (Fox59)
Enforcing 'no turn on red' by Monon Trail (WTHR)
Addressing safety concerns along Monon Trail (WRTV)
Strong Towns Crash Analysis Studio of Monon/86th Intersection - Overview, Video, Recommendations (Strong Towns January 2023)
Additional info / tasks for the project
- Petition on Change.org
- Monon/86th Flyer for Businesses - handed out to business near the intersection as well as collecting business contact information - February (DONE)
- Artwork for sidewalks - June - to be done by YMCA Teen group - DONE
- Traffic Study pre-installation of project through 4/30- Citizen-led Traffic Study #1 - Ended
- Survey pre-installation of project - TAKE THE SURVEY and Share widely - DONE
- Flyer with QR Codes for Safety Survey and Project Info - Ended
Once we have the go-ahead, additional work will be done:
- Purchasing materials - June - DONE
- Installing materials - June - DONE
To Be Done after Installation
- Volunteers / Committee Recruitment - Interested? Please fill out this form
- Flyer with QR Codes for Project Info, Reporting missing/damaged bollards, Safety Survey #2 (post-installation)
- Reporting Missing/Damaged Bollards - DONE
- Traffic Study during project - DONE
- Safety Survey #2 during project - July-August - DONE
- Removal - Late September (by October 1 - DONE 9/21/24
After the project is completed:
- Evaluation of project - DONE
- Post-Project Reports - DONE
- Post-Project Report Release Event - Monday, January 27, 2025, Celebration and Thanks to everyone involved with the Monon/86th Project. We'll report on findings and recommendations as well as updates on future improvements.
Location Community Room at First Baptist Athletics, 86th & College, indianapolis
Date: Monday January 27 @ 7 pm
Project Updates
Check this section and links for latest info on the project
- Meeting with DPW / BNS
- Intersection Business Contacts
- Updated graphics
- Next steps
Project Update 2/9/24 meeting with DPW
Project Update 3/8/24 meeting with DPW
Citizen-led Traffic Study Week - April 8-14 (rescheduled)
We’re redoing the traffic study from July 2022 in preparation for Tactical Urbanism project to see if anything has changed since then and for comparison after the project is installed.
- Wednesday April 10, 4-7 pm
- Friday April 12, 7-10 am
- Saturday April 13, 8-11 am
- or pick an hour any other time during the week
ACTION ITEM: Take the Monon/86th St Intersection Safety Survey (Pre-installation) - DONE
Please take the survey and share widely
Please fill out this survey to help us determine how the current conditions of Monon/86th Street impact your feeling of safety as a trail user or driver when traversing this intersection. Responses will help us determine the effectiveness of the proposed tactical urbanism project. Thank you in advance for your time. Survey Deadline: April 30, 2024
June 2024
Approval for Project!!
ACTION ITEM: SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER for Installation: June 14-24, 2024
ACTION ITEM: Letter of Support for City of Indianapolis ATIIP Application for Monon/86th and Nickel Plate/82nd St. Bridges by 6/13/24