DONATE
The city is highlighting a project on Mitthoeffer Road on the city's far east side, pictured here. All lanes of the road, from Prospect Street to Washington Street, will be resurfaced.
Courtesy of Indianapolis Department of Public WorksIndianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett on Wednesday outlined some of the city's plans for infrastructure projects in Marion County this year.
The announcement comes one year after the city experienced a particularly harsh winter, which combined with aging infrastructure to create widespread potholes that took months to address.
In 2019 the city will spend $126 million to resurface roads, repair bridges, and fix sidewalks. And the city says its recently created street maintenance team, part of the Department of Public Works, will work to fight road deterioration and attempt to prevent potholes from forming.
The city highlighted four upcoming projects:
- Binford Boulevard (resurfaced from 38th Street to 75th Street)
- 16th Street (resurfaced from Polco Street to Lafayette Road)
- West Street (resurfaced from Bluff Road to Wisconsin Street)
- Mithoeffer Road (resurfaced from Prospect Street to Washington Street)
Infrastructure funding is a key part of Hogsett’s 2019 city budget, and these projects are part of the mayor's long-term plan to invest $400 million on infrastructure over a four-year period.
The rough winter season last year prompted some city leaders and members of the City-County Council to pull back – many commented that city administrations have underspent on infrastructure for decades, creating problems that will continue to grow if unaddressed.
Former Councillor Jeff Miller often pointed to a study that shows the city needs about $730 million to get the city's roads in “fair” condition.
A bipartisan commission was formed to help lead the effort, and has been meeting regularly since last October.
Support WFYI. We can't do it without you.