Transportation planning grants announced

Local transportation networks will receive added money to plan from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization.

The IMPO receives and distributes federal transportation funds to cities in Central Indiana. This round of grants gives $75,000 to five different projects. 

The city of Indianapolis will use the money to expand, update and coordinate its Indy Moves plan. IMPO Executive Director Anna Gremling said efforts like this can take planning to the next level and identify needs.

“It includes the pedestrian plan, the greenways plan and the thoroughfares plan all in one document,” Gremling said.

The IMPO invests about $60 million a year for regional infrastructure projects. Fishers received a grant to study greenways. Greenwood and Lawrence will get money to explore best ways to implement electric vehicle charging stations.

Gremling said plans can help improve safety components for pedestrians and cyclists as well as motorists.

“Where should infrastructure for trails and greenways take place? Where should those thoroughfares plans or turn lanes be added?” Gremling said.

Each of the following projects will receive a $75,000 grant.

The projects

• City of Fishers Greenway and Trails Study – Fishers will use its grant to produce a citywide greenways study to identify primary pedestrian routes and priority gaps in the pedestrian network. With the new Nickel Plate Trail and Geist Greenway, city leaders want to expand the Fishers 2040 Bike and Pedestrian Map.
   
• IndyMoves 2.0 – Indianapolis will update the IndyMoves integrated transportation plan, which incorporates the county’s Pedestrian Plan, Greenways Plan and Thoroughfare Plan, as well as the IMPO’s Regional Freight Plan, Regional Safety Plan and relevant plans and policies. The updated plan will help the city identify capital needs.
   
• Charging Greenfield – Greenfield will study and plan for electric vehicle charging stations in the community. The plan will provide information needed to pursue public-private partnerships for the infrastructure.
   
• City of Lawrence Capital Improvement Plan & Program – Lawrence will establish a Capital Improvement Plan & Program that prioritizes needed infrastructure projects over 20 years and develops a revenue-constrained list for the first five years of the plan period.
   
• Charging Lawrence – Lawrence will also study and plan for electric vehicle charging stations in the community. The plan will provide information needed to pursue public-private partnerships for the infrastructure.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.