Construction of local section of Nickel Plate Trail begins soon

Construction is expected to begin next year on a local 10-mile stretch of the Nickel Plate Trail.

The Indianapolis Department of Public Works held a public meeting this week to share information about the project, which includes multi-use spur connections at East 62nd Street to Eastwood Middle School and East 86th west to Sahm Park.

Gretchen Zortman, project manager of the Nickel Plate Trail Design, said another public meeting is planned.

“We're looking to schedule at least one more as we get closer into winter and have a chance to develop the design plans a little bit more, and then have an opportunity to kind of share that with the community as we progress,” Zortman said.

Once complete, there will be a 41-mile connected regional trail loop that includes portions of the Nickel Plate Trail in Indianapolis and in Fishers, the Noblesville Midland Trace Trail, and the Monon Trail.

The project is expected to cost around $12 million. Of that, $5 million will be paid for with a grant from the state's Next Level Trails program.

Contact WFYI Morning Edition newscaster and reporter Taylor Bennett at tbennett@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @TaylorB2213.