The project will resurface roughly two miles of road, including new curbs, sidewalks, storm sewers, streetlights, trees and a multi-use path largely for the one-mile stretch between Harding Street and Eagle Creek.
What’s the West Morris Street project cost?
The West Morris Street project will cost $10 million. The project was initially expected to cost $6 million, but the price has increased after crews had to fix errors made in previous paving efforts. Crews had to remove old concrete pavement on the south lane and rebuild the full pavement section.
What’s the latest work on West Morris Street?
Crews have installed curbs on the southern corners of Belmont Avenue, Hiatt Street and Kappes Street. New sidewalks and ramps have been added along the corners of Kappes, Hiatt and Richland streets.
What’s the West Morris Street project timeline?
The road has been partially closed for a year and a half, and completion has been delayed from spring 2023 to fall 2024, largely due to a late start in construction and crews uncovering signs of shoddy patchwork in the past.
Essentially, engineers found that road fixes in previous decades had caused the asphalt at the edge of the road on the concrete base to erode. The asphalt was not the same thickness on the sides of the road as it was in the middle of the road or in the lanes.
The project is expected to be completed by fall 2024, barring any more complications.
What’s next for West Morris Street?
Crews will continue to work on the project over the winter, but at a limited rate. Crews will continue with concrete work, such as curbs and sidewalks, and stormwater improvements. Asphalt paving will continue in the spring.
Traffic will soon switch to the southern lanes on West Morris Street but will remain limited to westbound travel. The change has already happened west of Belmont Avenue.
More information on the project is available on the Indianapolis Department of Public Works West Morris Street Revitalization project website. It is updated weekly.
Mirror Indy reporter Enrique Saenz covers west Indianapolis. Contact him at 317-983-4203 or enrique.saenz@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @heyEnriqueSaenz
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