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HomeMy WebLinkAboutArticles/Studies/etc.EWSPAPER RCOM * "Where the Spirit of the Lord is ,there is Liberty" II COR. 3:17 I<FRIDAY;'SEPTEMBEK T2007 � Car el get Keystone Ave., $9071 State pays city to take control of busy corridor; traffic headaches. "This allows us to do some- maygr envisions 6 roundabout -style interchanges thing that will be wonderful for our citizens, and do it in a way By Bill Ruthhart ing the way for Mayor Jim Brain- that will bring some notice to bill.ruthhart@indystar,com ard's vision of building six Carmel," Brainard said. "This is a CARMEL, Ind. — One of the - roundabout -style interchanges tried-and-true solution in many metro area's most congested on Keystone Avenue north of other places in the world and an - traffic arteries will undergo ma- 96th Street. swers a lot of the needs we have jor surgery starting in the spring, Political foes of Brainard and for traffic along this roadway." but not without controversy. Daniels criticized the deal, but Indiana's Department of Gov. Mitch Daniels an- the governor and mayor called Transportation' has controlled nounced Thursday that the state the pact a win-win that will Keystone, also known as will pay Carmel $90 million to bring an innovative solution to take control of the roadway, pav- one of the area's most severe See Keystone, Page A7 THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR • WWW.INDYSTAR.COM iteystone • Democrats criticized payment to Carmel as patronage. From Al Ind. 431, and had planned to spend $39.4 million in 2008 to widen the road to three lanes in each direction through Carmel. But Brainard and other city leaders opposed that move, say- ing it wouldn't control the swell- ing traffic. As a result, Brainard said he has pushed for more than a decade to gain control of Key- stone. On Thursday, he got his wish. "This step, which Mayor Jim and I have agreed on, has been a long time coming;" Daniels said. "It's going to make a major, major difference in safety, in the free flow of traffic and the quality of life, not just in Carmel and Ham- ilton County, but for miles to the ,north and south." Democrats slammed Daniels' decision to pay Carmel $90 mil- lion for Keystone, $50 million of which would come from Major Moves, Daniels' 10 -year plan for statewide road projects funded in large part by the $3.8 billion lease of the Indiana Toll Road. "Mitch Daniels has proven that the Major Moves money is noth- ing more than his personal slush fund," said Dan Parker, chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party. "It's election time, he's in trouble, and so he has to go pay off his po- litical base." Department of Transportation Commissioner Karl Browning said the $50 million in Major Moves funding represents how much the state would have spent to widen Keystone once engi- neering and land acquisition osis were added From Page ( CHARLIE NYE / The Star JOINT ANNOUNCEMENT: Gov. Mitch Daniels (left) and Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard shake on the deal, which puts Carmel in charge of mainte- nance, snow removal and mowing for Keystone Avenue within the city. WHAT'S NEXT? CIRCLES OK KEYSTONE? Mayor Jim Brainard said he expects to sign a formal con- tract with the Indiana Depart- ment of Transportation within the next week. Within five days after the agreement is signed, Carmel is to receive $50 million from the state's Major Moves fund. Under the deal, the state would pay two more $20 mil- lion installments to Carmel in 2009 and 2010. Brainard said the city im- mediately would begin engi- neering work for the six round- about interchanges planned for Keystone. The city plans to complete the project in phases, breaking ground in the spring and planning to finish in 2010. The mayor said city officials plan meetings this winter to discuss the projects with near- by neighborhoods and businesses that would be af- fected by the construction. Brainard said he doesn't expect e -p 1 that any businesses or homes twos pzyments would com �fom would have to be razed, al - o h . ;state,revette• 5Usources r? m �nder a ennve g ement e"9r .orthatfi'rstt$SORmilhon,would berg paid�toCarmelytlyear sand tWol„} ` $201rmrlhon�instusallments*woul'dr' ""df nki2009 and 2010 Tliosei" Now that Carmel has gained control of Keystone Avenue from the state, Mayor Jim Brainard wants to build roundabout -style interchanges on six of the roadway's major intersections. ® Intersections to build roundabouts Hamilton 146th Street co. L�- 136th Stree 131st Street 126th Street . Carmel Drive 0 N ▪ ▪ . 0 116th Street 106th Street I Browning said that paying $90 million to Carmel was a deal for the state, because he had esti- mated INDOT would spend more than .P,150 million to widen Key- stone in 2008 and add inter- changes later. INDOT, however, had not pre- viously mentioned interchanges as part of its future project. Browning said that need became apparent in recent months after he surveyed independent engi- neers. "That's the thing that abso- lutely clinched this," Browning said. "That's when I knew what we had planned was just a Band- Aid and wouldn't solve the ulti- mate problem." Parker said the state shouldn't decide to spend an extra $50 mil- lion on a project without con- ducting a formal, independent study and placing the project and its cost in INDOT's statewide transportation plan. "We were committed to $40 million, and with all the state's other priorities, particu- larly property tax relief, we've managed to find an extra $50 mil- lion so Carmel can build more roundabouts?" Parker said. "This is typical Daniels administration. Let's cut some corners so we can make a political payoff." Gary Abell, a spokesman for Daniels, said there was "abso- lutely no political motivation" for Thursday's announcement. Daniels wasn't the only one who was hit with criticism over the Keystone deal. Brainard faces a pair of chal- lengers in his quest for a fourth term this fall, and both have por- trayed themselves as more fiscal- ly conservative than the mayor. The pair have criticized Brain- ard's support of pricy projects like an $80 million -plus concert hall, the city's $55 million Central Park and even a $20,000 expen- diture last month to paint por- traits of the city's former mayors. "Governor Daniels must be congratulated for his coup in lay- ing off Keystone on the Carmel tnougn tne city mignt nee° to acquire some land. Did you know? Indianapolis may be the Cir- cle City, put Carmel is giving rt a run for the nickname. In Brainard's 12 -year tenure, the city has built or has plans for more than 50 roundabouts. The six elevated roundabout - style interchanges with access ramps planned for Keystone, which would be lowered at those intersections, would be a first for the city, however. 96th Street L HAMILTONCO.I I. MARION CO. Sources City of Carmel, ESRI, TeleAtlas EMILY KUZNIAR / The Star Brainard said Keystone would be revamped in phases, with con- struction beginning in the spring and wrapping up in 2010. Henry Winckler, a Democrat running for mayor, said the plans are too elaborate. Winkler said he has•worked taxpayers to forevermore expend to prevent the widening of Key - for its repair, renovation and stone and said simply lowering maintenance," said Marvin Spi- the road, building earth berms or gelman, an independent candi- using bridges would be more date for mayor. "It appears that realistic approaches. Mayor Brainard's legacy vision to "The sheer grandiosity of my indebt and roundabout Carmel is opponent's plans for Keystone taking us dangerously close to fis- alone begil forintro new mayor and cal instability." e the rea- Brainard dismissed the criti- sonable and responsible test to cism as political rhetoric and said city projects," Winckler said. the city wouldn't borrow money Brainard said no homes would to complete the Keystone project, be razed as part of his plan and only using the $90 million from the project would improve Key - the state. He said the city hopes stone's safety and move traffic to fund later upgrades to the faster. According to INDOT sta- intersection of 96th Street and tistics, about 50,000 vehicles Keystone with federal funding. travel on Keystone each day, and In addition, Brainard said Carmel police recorded 219 traf- INDOT has spent $100,000 or fic accidents on the highway in less per year to maintain Key- . 2006. stone. He said Carmel already Once the road is under city helps pay for mowing along the control, Council Brainardruld ban id, the he eructy road. s Brainard's plans for Keystone, and plant trees along the road - which he first pitched in a State way. of the City address last year, are Daniels, who is building a new unlike any other project that has homeint Clay own t jiptist a fan. been built in the state. en Instead of widening the road, by accident. They don't just Brainard's solution is to eliminate spring up like dandelions out of stoplights by lowering Keystone the ground;' Daniels said, just af- at major intersections and build- ter a string quartet welcomed the ing elevated roundabouts and ac- crowd gathered at Carmel City cess ramps that would allow traf- Hall on Thursday morning. fic to move over the roadway "It takes careful leadership and without stopping. foresight. All of that is on display The circular interchanges have in this plan, which now finally never been built in Indiana but will become real." are being used increasingly in * 011 Star reporter Bill Ruthhart other states, Brainard said. at (317) 444-5527. Carmel to Take Over Part of Keystone Avenue Craig Parks (Road) >The state has agreed to transfer ownership of a busy stretch of Keystone Avenue to the City of Carmel. The move will allow the City to reconstruct a four -mile stretch of SR 431—from 96'h Street to US 31—to im- prove traffic in the rapidly growing area. American Structurepoinl first began work on the SR 431 project in 2003 for the Indiana Department of Transporta- tion (INDOT). The public wasn't sold on the idea of adding travel lanes, so Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard wanted to investigate the option to lower portions of Keystone Avenue and build elevated roundabouts at intersections, eliminating Traffic sitmals. American Structurepoint performed a study for the City -a quick roundabout capacity analysis -and discovered by sepa- rating grades and removing traffic signals, the capacity of the entire con'idor would be improved without having to add a through lane in each direction. We also found the roundabout had a much smaller footprint than a standard interchange for- mation, meaning there would be less of an impact to the surrounding right-of-way. Keystone Avenue could be lowered up to 20 feet in each direction while the cross- roads stayed at grade. The City of Cannel then hired Ameri- can Structurepoint to perform a relin-` guishment study to identify the short-. and_ long. -term costs of maintaining, fixing, and adding capacity to Keystone Avenue so they could request to take control of the roadway from the State (INDOT) for a specified amount of money to off- set ff -set these long-term improvement and maintenance costs. After much conver- o The design will improve the safety of the road and provide a more pedestrian - friendly and efficient transportation network. sation and negotiation between INDOT and the City of Cannel, the relinquish- ment was approved and made effective on October 12, 2007. INDOT will give Car- mel 590 million toward the project. The City will seek additional money from the federal government. "This has been a long time coating, and it's going to make a major, major dif- ference in safety, in the free flow of traf- fic, and in the quality of life—not just in Cannel or Hamilton County, but for miles north and south." said Governor Mitch Daniels. The City plans to break ground on the project early next year. The City's con- struction plan calls for lowering Keystone Avenue at major intersections and build- ing elevated roundabouts (separation of grade.) When completed, Keystone Av- enue will be free flowing without any sig- nals within the city. Drivers on east -west cross -streets, such as 116'" Street, will use the roundabouts instead of having to stop for signals. "We've had a wonderful working relationship with INDOT and the GOv- ernor's office since we've started on this project," said Mayor Brainard. "This is a perfect example of local government and state government working together to cre- ate something really special for a commu- nity." The design will improve the safety of the road and provide a more pedestrian - friendly and efficient transportation net- work. Roundabouts will be incorporated, not on Keystone, but to control the access to and egress from Keystone Avenue. In recognition of the impact the reconstruc- tion project will have on the local com- munity, the City of Cannel will work with residents, businesses, and churches to minimize construction disruptions by us- ing innovative construction solutions. 96th Street will have minor improve- ments of added turn lanes to handle the additional capacity for the short- term, but we'll have to work with INDOT as they prepare for the re- construction of 1-465 as it might im- pact the 96th Street intersection. The City has a long-tenn grade separation planned for this intersection. Keystone (cont.) • 106"' Street will have a grade separa- tion with two roundabouts and paths on both sides. Keystone Avenue will be lowered. This will be the first built, beginning in March 2008. • For both the 116th Street and Cannel Drive intersections, American Struc- turepoint is working with the City to identify the best grade separation so- lution (single or double roundabout configuration). Keystone Avenue will be lowered and the two interchanges connected with a collector distributor system, with an anticipated construc- tion start date in the spring of 2009. At 1269 Street, there will be a grade separation with two roundabouts and paths on both sides. Keystone Avenue will be lowered. This project will be bid in March of 2008. For 131" Street, American Structure - point is working with the City to iden- tify the best grade separation solution (single or double roundabout configu- ration), but Keystone Avenue will be depressed, and this intersection will have an expected construction start date of spring 2010. • 1369 Street will have a double round- about option, and Keystone may stay at the existing grade. This project will also start in summer 2008. • Many American Structurepoint dis- ciplines are involved with this proj- ect—roadlbridge design, survey, environmental, environmental sci- ence, right-of-way engineering and acquisition, traffic, architecture, land- scape architecture, and construction inspection. American Structurepoint will use subconsultants to perform the public relations and geotechnical components of the project. This project is expected to be com- plete in the spring of 2011. The public has been very receptive because of the benefits to the community, including: - Noise reduction along Keystone Avenue - Ability to plant trees to meet local standards and to make the road- ways look and feel like parkways - More efficiency and additional air quality improvement due to less traffic congestion at each in- terchange - Tremendous fuel savings from cars that no longer have to wait at red lights Improved pedestrian access for east/west movements to and from the Monon Trail system Governor Daniels complimented this project's imaginative design. "Great cities don't happen by accident. It takes careful leadership, foresight, and tending. All that is on display in the plans, which will now become a reality for SR 431." At American Structurepoint, we are honored to work with such a progressive City and to have a part in carrying out the visions of the City officials. For more information on this project please visit nvw.kevstonecannel.com p op CID p STAUCTUHEPOINT G❑LtiC The Urbanophile: Carmel Gets Control of Keystone Ave. ISFARCH BLDG ""FLAG t3LOG f Next Blog» Page 1 of 7 Create Btog 1 Sign In t-TH,E URBAN.OPHILE TRAASPORTATIOPI, URBAN AFFAIRS. AHD THE FUTURE or THE ,MIDWESTERI FRIDAY. SEPTEMPER 7. 2007 Carmel Gets Control of Keystone Ave. Gov. Mitch Daniels and Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard held a joint press conference yesterday to reveal that the city and state had finally agreed on terms for the relinquishment of Keystone Ave. The state is going to pay Carmel 890 million to take over the road. This will 850 million in 2008, and 820 million each in 2009 and 2010. The state had wanted to widen Keystone to six lanes in advance of the US 31 freeway upgrade project. Mayor Brainard didn't want this. Instead, he has plans to turn Keystone into a sort of freeway itself, by building roundabout interchanges where Keystone would be routed under the roundabout via an underpass. There would be seven roundabout interchanges: 96th St., io6th St., 116th St., Cannel Dr., 126th St., 131st St. and 136th St. The city says that these will cost 812 million each, and that the $90 million fully funds six of them.- _ _ The city will seek federal earmarks to pay for 96th St. Not messing around, Mayor Brainard wants to start construction next year and complete it by 2011 when the US 31 project starts. Carne] has launched a web site for the project, www.keystonecarmet.com. Right now it is a bit sparse, but does have some higher quality scans of some initial renderings. Here is 126th St, which is a two bridge, four lane model: AB, 'fht Cub foe, tral oris els t AB THE Tiff wri dot Em vIE' BLI v http://theurbanophile.blogspot.com/2007/09/carmel-gets-control-of-keystone-ave.html 10/30/2008 Mayor unveils big ideas for Keystone Avenue - Last Updated (Thursday, 06 September 2007) Mayor unveils big ideas for Keystone Avenue By Bill RuthhartFrom Nov. 2, 2006Source - Indianapolis StarMayor Jim Brainard revealed aggressive plans for a new project in Carmel in his 11th State of the City address. In the speech to the Carmel Clay Chamber of Commerce, Brainard revealed plans to lower Keystone Avenue and install roundabout interchanges to help move traffic along the congested corridor. Brainard showed conceptual designs of that road project during his speech to about 260 business leaders at the Ritz Charles. The mayor's plans for Keystone come on the heels of Tuesday's unveiling of designs for the Carmel Performing Arts Center. Brainard's plan for Keystone would create roundabout interchanges at intersections with 96th, 106th, 116th, 126th, 131st, 136th streets and Carmel Drive. But unlike other roundabouts in Carmel, Keystone Avenue would be lowered and run underneath the circles. Brainard said such a plan would move traffic faster on Keystone Avenue while making it easier for vehicles to cross the busy roadway. He said these types of roundabout interchanges have been used successfully in areas of England and Denmark with similar traffic volumes to Keystone. Brainard estimated the plan could cost the city up to $100 million. 7 None of the plans would be possible, though, if Carmel doesn't gain control of Keystone Avenue, which is also Ind. 431, from the state. For years, Brainard has been negotiating with the Indiana Department of Transportation to take over the roadway. He said the state has agreed to give Carmel the road, but now both parties are negotiating how much the state should pay Carmel to take over Keystone. "INDOT has said they will relinquish control of Keystone to the city, but that hasn't happened yet," Brainard said during his speech. "We're debating on how big the check that comes with it should be. "We're asking for a very big check and were having major negotiations." Brainard said he has suggested the state use a similar concept when it revamps U.S. 31 in the future. He said the state could save between $250 million and $300 million in land acquisition costs by using roundabout interchanges instead of adding lanes and using traditional interchanges. Brainard said many of the 27 businesses that would be eliminated in Westfield could be saved if the state adopted roundabout interchanges, because they require less land. Brainard said he hasn't identified how Carmel would fund the Keystone project, adding that how much the state paid the city for the road would be a major factor. "I don't want anyone to leave here thinking we're saying we're going to do this or that it's funded," Brainard said during his speech. "This is an idea I wanted to share with the community and get feedback about." Most of the feedback was good. "I think it's a great idea and it's definitely needed," said Bill McFadden, 69, who served on the Carmel town board in the 1970s. "I think it will take a while to get it going, but I think it's great." Sandy Stewart liked the concept because it would make her daily drive much easier. "I have to sit at Keystone and 116th Street every day, twice a day, at least," said Stewart, 60, who is the director of PrimeLife Enrichment. "I think it looks fabulous." Call Star reporter Bill Ruthhart at (317) 444-5527. This story will be updated. http nsmvhoacom- Powered by Mambo Generated: 30 October, 2008. 13:53 Carmel to Assume Ownership of Keystone Avenue; Democrats Cite Favoritism - Newsroom - Inside... Page 1 of 2 (I) INSIDE INDIANA- BUSL1iHoSS WITH GERRY ICK INDIANA'S BUSINESS NEWS LEADER Carmel's construction plans call tor roundabouts on the entire stretch of road eliminating all signals. updated, 9/6/2007 3:42:26 PM [UPDATED] Carmel to Assume Ownership of Keystone Avenue; Democrats Cite Favoritism Inside!NdianaBusiness.com Report ,i; Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard talks about the need to work with businesses during the construction period. Governor Mitch Daniels has announced that the City of Carmel will assume ownership of State Road 431, also known as Keystone Ave., from 96th St. to U.S. 31. The Indiana Department of Transportation will provide Carmel with $90 million to reconstruct and redesign the road that is a major artery through the city. — Source: Inside INdiana Business INDIANA fINESS, • IU And Purdue Form Energy Research Consortium • [UPDATED] Governor. First Lady Handing Out Indiana Candy on Halloween ■ IU Offers Sustainability Research Grants • 2010 Final Four Plans Underway • Title Company to Close • Republic Airways Reports Lower Q3 Net Income ■ TriMedx Launches New Subsidiary • New Hospital Coming to Whitley County • [UPDATED] Angie's List Adding 400 Jobs Pumping Millions Into Redevelopment (i fhe Indiana Democratic Party says the deal is an example of the Governor "treating the money he got from ;elling off the Indiana Toll Road as his own political slush fund." .airman Dan Parker cites cases in Delaware County and St. John where road improvements have been lelayed because of funding issues. He also notes that upgrades to U.S. 31 are three years behind schedule >ress Release 3armel, Ind. (September 6, 2007) — Governor Mitch Daniels and Carmel Mayor James Brainard today announced an agreement in principle for the City of Carmel to assume ownership of Keystone Avenue (State Road 431) from 96th Street to U.S. 31. Hamilton County will get a major transportation improvement sooner and the state's taxpayers save money n the long run," Daniels said. "Mayor Brainard has again shown the imagination that is making his a great tew Hoosier city." fhe Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) pegged the long-term costs of upgrading Keystone Avenue at more than $150 million. Tentative erms of the agreement call for INDOT to provide Carmel with $90 million, in installments, to reconstruct and redesign the road. Carmel's plan addresses long-term mainline traffic issues and significantly improves east -west mobility at a much lower cost. The agreement will not affect the unding for any of the state's Major Moves projects. 8 print More News... Continued Below... 8 email rremslefers • Jiffy Lube Acquires Master Xpress Lube Centers ■ [UPDATED] Best Places to Work in Indiana Named rU • Starbucks Announces More Indiana Store Closings • Six Indiana Nonprofits to Receive $10 000 :armel will pursue a federal earmark for the balance of the project. Once the agreement is final, the city will be responsible, in perpetuity, for naintenance, snow -removal and mowing. http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?id=25314 10/30/2008 Carmel to Assume Ownership of Keystone Avenue; Democrats Cite Favoritism - Newsroom - Inside... Page 2 of 2 Fhe city's construction plan calls for lowering Keystone Avenue at major intersections and building elevated roundabouts. When completed, <eystone3Avenue will be free flowing without any signals within the city. Drivers on east -west cross -streets, such as 116th Street, will use the 'oundabouts instead of having to stop for signals. This innovative design will link our community in new ways," Brainard said. "Having Keystone run below cross street roundabout intersections, ised for ingress and egress to Keystone, will improve the safety of this roadway exponentially. This design is also more pedestrian friendly and lrivers will no longer wait in long lines for stoplights to turn green." :ity officials plan to break ground on the project in early 2008. Local officials will work with residents, businesses and churches to minimize :onstruction disruptions by using innovative construction solutions. The Keystone Avenue project will be complete before the state's $500 million ipgrade to U.S. 31 in Hamilton County begins in 2011. Carmel has invested nearly $35 million in local funds to upgrade Pennsylvania and Illinois streets to prepare for the U.S. 31 improvements. We have been talking with the state for more than a decade about Keystone and we are at this point today only because of Governor Daniels' eadership," Brainard added. "This is a great example of state and local government cooperation for the benefit of everyone." NDOT works with communities to relinquish highways when they become more of a local thoroughfare than an intrastate route. For example, in ndianapolis, the agency worked out agreements over several years for the city to assume ownership of all state routes and U.S. highways inside I- 165 — such as Meridian and Washington streets. -Source: Office of Governor Mitch Daniels 'ress Release ndianapolis, Ind. -- Indiana Democratic Party Chair Dan Parker today criticized Gov. Mitch Daniels' decision to award $90 million — and local control )f a stretch of Keystone Avenue — to Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard. rhe Indiana Department of Transportation had originally planned to spend $39.4 million next year to widen Keystone Avenue and relieve :ongestion; Daniels announced this morning that INDOT will now provide $90 million for the project. This makes it very clear that Mitch Daniels is treating the money he got from selling off the Indiana Toll Road as his own political slush fund," 3arker said. "He tells some parts of the state to make do with less at the same time he's pandering to his base." 'Indiana currently faces a huge property tax crisis, and Mitch Daniels thinks building $50 million worth of roundabouts on Keystone is more mportant? Talk about your misplaced priorities," Parker continued. Earlier this year, Delaware County officials were told that six local construction projects would be pushed back because of a lack of funding. Earlier his week, St. John residents found out they will have to wait another year for improvements to one of their busiest local intersections. Parker also tointed to U.S. 31, where planned upgrades are three years behind schedule. In order to get your project fast -tracked, you obviously have to give Mitch Daniels something in return," Parker said. "A statewide transportation )tan — especially one that was funded by trading away one of our state's most valuable assets — should benefit everyone, not just a chosen few." -Source: Indiana Democratic Party a El print email netecletter http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?id=25314 10/30/2008 Mitch Daniels Announces Agreement to Transfer Ownership of Keystone Avenue Indy Free Press Page 1 of 2 l?sername• Indiana Password: Log in Muncie, Create new account Request new password Home I I News ; Opinion (( Events Media I Classifieds Weather Help (' Search Home » Grassroots Journalism by Indy for Indianapolis Mitch Daniels Announces Agreement to Transfer Ownership of Keystone Avenue Submitted by kyaud.mai lasch on Tim9/06/2007 - 7:26pm. News CARMEL, IN - Governor Mitch Daniels and Carmel Mayor James Brainard today announced an agreement in principle for the City of Carmel to assume ownership of Keystone Avenue (State Road 431) from 96th Street to U.S. 31. "Hamilton County will get a major transportation improvement sooner and the state's taxpayers save money in the long run," Daniels said. "Mayor Brainard has again shown the imagination that is making his a great new Hoosier city." The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) pegged the long-term costs of upgrading Keystone Avenueat more than $150 million. Tentative -terms of the agreement call for INDOT to provide Carmel with $90 million, in installments, to reconstruct and redesign the road. Carmel's plan addresses long-term mainline traffic issues and significantly improves east -west mobility at a much lower cost. The agreement will not affect the funding for any of the state's Major Moves projects. • - Carmel will pursue a federal earmark for the balance of the project. Once the agreement is final, the city will be responsible, in perpetuity, for maintenance, snow -removal and mowing. The city's construction plan calls for lowering Keystone Avenue at major intersections and building elevated roundabouts. When completed, Keystone Avenue will be free flowing without any signals within the city. Drivers on east -west cross -streets, such as 116th Street, will use the roundabouts instead of having to stop for signals. "This innovative design will link our community in new ways," Brainard said. "Having Keystone run below cross street roundabout intersections, used for ingress and egress to Keystone, will improve the safety of this roadway exponentially. This design is also more pedestrian friendly and drivers will no longer wait in long lines for stoplights to turn green." City officials plan to break ground on the project in early 2008. Local officials will work with residents, businesses and churches to minimize construction disruptions by using innovative construction solutions. The Keystone Avenue project will be complete before the http://www.indyfreepress.com/node/10013 Navigation Audio o Classified Ads o Give points o Recent posts o RSSfeeds Who's new • Debbie Jones • rad2006 • bassistjeffellison • HROTHELL • apcarpen Who's online There are currently 0 users and 0 guests online. Cool Indy Sites • Indy Fringe • Indy Rats • Nuvo • Indy Skate • Around Indy • Doing Indy 10/30/2008 Mitch Daniels Announces Agreement to Transfer Ownership of Keystone Avenue J Indy Free Press Page 2 of 2 state's $500 million upgrade to U.S. 31 in Hamilton County begins in 2011. Carmel has invested nearly $35 million in local funds to upgrade Pennsylvania and Illinois streets to prepare for the U.S. 31 improvements. "We have been talking with the state for more than a decade about Keystone and we are at this point today only because of Governor Daniels' leadership," Brainard added. "This is a great example of state and local government cooperation for the benefit of everyone." INDOT works with communities to relinquish highways when they become more of a local thoroughfare than an intrastate route. For example, in Indianapolis, the agency worked out agreements over several years for the city to assume ownership of all state routes and U.S. highways inside I-465 - such as Meridian and Washington streets. » Login or register to post comments East Central Indiana - For the People, By the People... Indiana 1 Indianapolis 1 Anderson 1 Muncie 1 Marion 1 Elwood I All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective companies. Comments and stories and photos are owned by the Poster. The Rest © 2007 kpaul media http://www.indyfreepress.com/node/10013 10/30/2008 Mitch Daniels Announces Agreement to Transfer Ownership of Keystone Avenue 1 Muncie_ Free Press Page 3 of 4 r —, tF-D9nat9,--74 Howey @ MFP Brian Howey (of The ilowev Political Report) is allowing us to reprint some of his material here at MFP. Enjoy and check out his website as well. CARMEL, IN - Governor Mitch Daniels and Carmel Mayor James Brainard today announced an agreement in principle for the City ofCarmel to assume ownership of Keystone Avenue (State Road 431) from 96th Street to U.S. 31. "Hamilton County will get a major transportation improvement sooner and the state's taxpayers save money in the long nm," Daniels said. "Mayor Brainard has again shown the imagination that is making his a great new Hoosier city." The Indiana Department of fransponation (IAUO ) pegged the long-term costs of upgrading Keystone Avenue at more than $150 million. Tentative terms of the agreement call for INDOT to provide Carmel widt $90 in illion, in installments, to reconstruct and redesign the road. Cannel's plan addresses long -tern mainline traffic issues and significantly improves east -west mobility at a much lower cost. The agreement will not affect the funding for any of the state's Major Moves projects. Cannel will pursue 0 federal earmark for the balance of the project. Once the agreement is final, the city will he responsible. in perpetuity, for maintenance, snow -removal and stowing. The cit\ s construction plan calls for lowering Keystone Avenue at major intersections and building elevated roundabouts. When completed, Keystone Avenue will he free flowing without any signals within the city. Drivers on cast -west cross -streets, such as 116th Street. will use the roundabouts instead of having to stop lox signals. "phis innovative design will link our eommmmity in new ways." Brainard said. "I -laving Keystone run below cross street roundabout intersections. used lox ingress and egress to Keystone. will improve the safety of this roadway exponentially. This design is also more pedestrian friendly and drivers will no ionger wait in long lines for stoplights to turn green." City officials plan to break ground on the project in early 2008. Local officials will work with residents. businesses and churches to minimize construction disruptions by using innovative construction solutions. the Keystone Avenue project will be complete before the state's 5500 million upgrade to U.S. 31 in Hamilton County begins in 2011. Carmel has invested nearly $35 million in local funds to upgrade Pennsylvania and Illinois streets to prepare for the U.S. 31 improvements. "We have been talking with the state for more than a decade about Keystone and we are at this point today only because of Governor Danieli leadership," Brainard added. "This is a great example of state and local government cooperation for the benefit of everyone." INDO"I' works with communities to relinquish highways when they become more ofa local thoroughfare than an intrastate route_ For example, in Indianapolis. the agency worked out agreements over several years Ibr the city to assume ownership of all state routes and U.S. highways inside 1-465 - such as Meridian and Washington streets. Sour'et': Gr nor ;Witch Daniel:c Office Press Release http://www.munciefreepress.comMode/16679 10/30/2008 WTHR - Indianapolis News Weather -Mayor Brainard outlines plans for Keystone Ave. Page 1 of 2 13 «Back Mayor Brainard outlines plans for Keystone Ave. Updated: Dec 7, 2006 06:24 PM EST Mayor Brainard wants to eliminate stoplights from eight intersections by using roundabouts. Lynsay_Clutter/Eyewitness News Carmel - Commuters on Keystone Avenue are familiar with the traffic headaches. That's why the Mayor of Carmel wants the state to give his city control of the busy highway so he can eliminate traffic lights between 96th and 146th streets. The Mayor says this heavily traveled stretch is like a Great Wall of China, dividing the city into two parts. His plan is to make the Keystone area more pedestrian friendly with landscaping and bike paths. By taking out traffic lights, he aims to ease traffic congestion and travel time. "We'd actually lower Keystone at the intersections, build two bridges in essence, form a roundabout or circle over pedestrian bridges. You'd never have to stop as you travel Keystone," said ' Mayor James Brainard. This is an artist's conception of one of the proposed roundabouts on Keystone Ave. Drivers along Keystone says the constant braking and the slow moving traffic along Keystone is only getting worse. "You can't even turn out of here during lunch or rush hour," said one driver. The State wants to build additional lanes, but Carmel's Mayor has different plans if the city gets control of the road. "It does not need additional lanes. What it needs is additional i intersection capacity," said Mayor Brainard. The idea: lower Keystone Avenue and build bridges at the intersections with roundabouts. Ramps would allow traffic to get on and off Keystone. No more traffic lights and no more stopping. Mayor Brainard's plan would cost around "Only the traffic that's going east and west, or getting on or off stoo million. Keystone would use the roundabout. If you're just going through on Keystone, you would not go through the roundabout," he said. Mayor Brainard says the plan would boost property values for those living close to Keystone. Commuters say they just look forward to quick and safe traveling in Carmel. "It's the same congestion from early morning to late evening, so if it can clear that up, I think it would be a great thing/' said one commuter. "If it eases up traffic, why not?" said another. "Sounds like it's a pretty high price tag, though." The project would cost about $100 million. INDOT says it has no plans to relinquish the highway to Carmel. Next month the state and city meet to go over new INDOT plans to improve US 31 and Keystone. INDOT plans to start a $40 million Keystone widening project in 2008. It will add one lane each way north of 96th street. That's a Major Moves program. 1 http://www.wthr.com/global/story.asp?s=5474071&ClientType=Printable 10/30/2008 A Call to Action The United States Conference of Mayors MAINSTREETSTIMULUS usmayors.org/ mainstreetstimulus Main Street America is in economic trouble. America has lost nearly 800,000 jobs in the last nine months. Unemployment is now at 6.1 percent, and is projected to rise to over 7.5 percent next year. When under -employment is included, unemployment is projected to reach 9 percent. Families have lost $2 trillion (20 percent) of their savings. The Commerce Department has just reported that retail sales on Main Street America have dropped 1.2 percent in September, foreshadowing a dismal holiday shopping season - which accounts for approximately 25 percent of annual sales income for most businesses. Our citizens ask us every single day what this economy will do to their jobs, their long-term savings, their mortgages, and their pension funds. Parents are getting laid off from their jobs, families are struggling to pay bills, the mortgage crisis and foreclosures are forcing families to double -up and move in together, grandparents are struggling with retirement, and young people unable to secure financial aid are being forced to forgo college. In addition, severe state cutbacks are resulting in a loss of needed services on Main Street. Washington bailed out Wall Street to the tune of $700 billion. It is now time for Washington to help local governments and the private sector create jobs and economic growth by passing an immediate "Main Street Stimulus." Over the last three months, U.S. Conference of Mayors President Manuel A. (Manny) Diaz of Miami has led a national tour with Mayors '08 Action Forums on 1) Crime; 2) Infrastructure; 3) Poverty; 4) Environment and Energy; and 5) Arts and Tourism. At each of these forums, mayors and national experts focused on the weakened economy, the immediate needs of working families, and ways to create jobs. In today's world, it is Mayors who lead the metro economies that drive the nation. These metro economies now account for 86 percent of national employment, 90 percent of labor income, and 90 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Therefore, if we are going to reverse the current economic situation and create jobs, the only way to do so is to invest in these Main Street, metro economies. Following are 10 "Main Street Stimulus" programs that will create jobs now, improve the infrastructure that the private sector needs to succeed, help the small businesses of main street America, and have lasting economic and environmental benefits. We have built on the House -passed $60 billion stimulus package to calculate our funding recommendations, which total $89.98 billion of the now estimated $150 billion stimulus. The methodology for our recommendations is contained on page two of this document. Cities are ready to go, and jobs can be created now! Therefore, federal agencies and the states must be required to dispense these funds immediately. We commend the House and the Senate for their efforts to enact a second stimulus last month before the congressional recess. We stand ready to work with Congress during the upcoming emergency session to make sure that a "Main Street Stimulus" plan is signed into law this year. Manuel A. (Manny) Diaz Mayor of Miami President Tom Cochran CEO and Executive Director The United States Conference of Mayors 1620 Eye Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C. 20006 Telephone: (202) 293-2354 Email: tcochran@usmayors.org rM u.xea Stiles reme'ene m M,yas MAINSTREETSTIMULUS Methodology: Figures are based upon the original Stimulus Bill proposal (H.R. 7110) that passed the House on September 26, 2008 which totaled $60 billion. Since then, the Speakers Office, along with the Senate Majority Leader's Office have indicated through media reports that the Stimulus Bill that will be brought to the floor after the November 4th elections will total $150 billion, thus, the figures were adjusted proportionally (2.Sx) in our plan. Other figures, referenced below, were also used. 1 United States Conference of Mayors Survey. 1993. "Ready to Go". 2 As authorized by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. 3 Senators Reid/Byrd proposal in Senate version of Stimulus bill. Wall Street Bailout vs. Main Street Stimulus $700 Billion Wall Street Bailout 2 $89.98 Billion lobs and Infrastructure Main Street Stimulus Q(B,�I (Passed House 9 26 08 Mayors Pro ect Dollars Billions 1. Community Development Block Grant for Infrastructure) $4.00 $10.00 2. Energy Block Grant for Infrastructure and Green Jobst $2.00 55.00 3. Transit Equipment and Infrastructure $3.60 $9.00 4. Highway Infrastructure $12.80 $32.00 5. Airport Technology and Infrastructure $0.60 $1.50 6. Amtrak Infrastructure $0.50 $1.25 7. Water and Wastewater Infrastructure $7.50 $18.75 8. School Modernization $3.00 $7.50 9. Public Housing Modernization $1.00 $2.50 10. Public Safety Jobs and Technology3 $0.99 $2.48 Main Street Stimulus Total $35.990 $89.98 Congressional Stimulus Bill Total (Estimate) $60,000.00 $150,000.00 Methodology: Figures are based upon the original Stimulus Bill proposal (H.R. 7110) that passed the House on September 26, 2008 which totaled $60 billion. Since then, the Speakers Office, along with the Senate Majority Leader's Office have indicated through media reports that the Stimulus Bill that will be brought to the floor after the November 4th elections will total $150 billion, thus, the figures were adjusted proportionally (2.Sx) in our plan. Other figures, referenced below, were also used. 1 United States Conference of Mayors Survey. 1993. "Ready to Go". 2 As authorized by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. 3 Senators Reid/Byrd proposal in Senate version of Stimulus bill. Wall Street Bailout vs. Main Street Stimulus $700 Billion Wall Street Bailout 2 $89.98 Billion lobs and Infrastructure Main Street Stimulus L Th. United Stater rptlerente W Mepf MAINSTREETSTIMULUS n, ... vw,vrs n,sl.aivu,eeiu�t.t. 1. Community Development Block Grants for Infrastructure ($10 Billion) CDBG, established in 1974, is a proven and effective program in the city -federal partnership. Through the years, the federal government has adjusted the CDBG delivery system to allow additional Flexibility to address national emergencies, and this should be done now to confront the current economic crisis. CDBG assisted New York City following the 9/11 terrorist attack and provided resources to the Gulf States and communities after several hurricane disasters. CDBG is currently being used to address the foreclosure crisis with the $3.9 billion Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) to communities faced with vacant and abandoned properties. Today, CDBG can be used to create jobs through: the construction of public facilities and improvements, water and sewer facilities, streets, and neighborhood centers; the conversion of school buildings for eligible purposes; activities relating to energy conservation and renewable energy resources; and assistance to profit -motivated businesses to carry out economic development and job creation/retention activities. FACT: 21,140 small businesses received CDBG funding in Fiscal Year 2007. Sixty-two percent of the business assistance was for existing businesses, and 75 percent of all business assistance resulted in the creation or retention of jobs. ...HUD Performance Report, 2008 2. Energy Block Grant for Infrastructure and Green lobs ($5 Billion) It is time to move America toward a greener economy and tap the potential to create millions of green jobs for Main Street businesses and free the U.S. economy from its dependence on foreign oil. Commitments made now will stimulate the development of green jobs for Main Street small businesses. This would help small business weather the current economic downturn and position them for even more significant economic growth. Potential green jobs -- 4.2 million nationwide by 2038 -- and other important benefits for the nation's economy were described in a recent study, Current and Potential Green Jobs in the U.S. Economy, prepared by Global Insight for The U.S. Conference of Mayors. We have 900 mayors who have signed the United States Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, and they are ready to go. Five billion dollars in funding for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program will give cities, counties and states the resources to create thousands of energy efficiency and renewable energy production projects throughout the U.S. Such main street -stimulating projects would include the installation of solar panels or wind turbines for the production of electricity on local buildings, deployment of new energy distribution technologies that significantly increase energy efficiency, such as distributed generation or district heating and cooling systems, development of systems to capture and generate power from methane at landfills and energy retrofits of public and private buildings within local areas. FACT: A $100 billion federal investment over two years is estimated to create two million green -collar jobs....Center for American Progress, August 2008. Since many of the activities in this report would be supported by Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) resources, the Conference of Mayors estimates that a starting EECBG investment of $5 billion would result in the creation of more than 100,000 jobs. 3 The Wiled Stales Conference N Yrywf MAINSTREETSTIIUULUS , n,,,� ,n �.., 3. Transit Equipment and Infrastructure ($9 Billion) Transit agencies (rail and bus) are being forced to raise fares, cut service, and borrow to address capital and operating needs, while experiencing a dramatic surge in Main Street ridership due to higher gas prices. Congress should fund the purchase of buses, street cars, rail cars and other rolling stock and equipment needed to create additional capacity; help stabilize fare increases, improve reliability; and restore and maintain facilities and infrastructure in a state of good repair. This could include improvements to expand station capacity, rail track improvements, and customer information screens, while at the same time creating much-needed high -paying jobs and economic activity on Main Street. FACT: There has been a surge in the use of buses and other transit systems due to pain at the pump. In 2007, 10.3 billion trips were taken on public transportation - the highest number taken in 50 years. Ridership has continued to climb in 2008. According to a recent survey of the nation's transit providers, 85 percent of transit systems are reporting capacity constraints, with nearly four out of ten transit agencies now turning passengers away from affordable public transportation....American Public Transportation Association, 2008 FACT: The Federal Highway Administration estimates that every $1 billion spent on transportation infrastructure creates 47,000 jobs (or more) and up to $6 billion in additional gross domestic product. With the housing market in decline, construction employment fell by more than 360,000 jobs since March 2007, leaving a ready labor force to begin new projects....Economic Policy Institute, 2008 4. Highway Infrastructure ($32 Billion) To create Main Street jobs, support the metro economic engines, and ensure that traffic congested areas actually receive funding and critical deferred maintenance is addressed, additional highway stimulus funds must not be distributed based on the current state -based status -quo system. Therefore, the Surface Transportation Program (STP) - which was created by Congress in 1991 - must be the mechanism for distributing highway stimulus funding. This will provide maximum flexibility to cities, counties, and states in advancing bridge, bus and rail, and road projects in our nation's metropolitan areas. This ensures that funds are allocated more evenly within each state so that mayors and other local leaders, who own and operate most of the transportation assets and facilities, are at the table to make decisions on "ready to go" projects. At the same time, this would create thousands of high -paying jobs, aid small businesses, and fuel economic activity on America's main streets. Using this program structure means that, in addition to the guaranteed share of STP funds reserved for the states, local officials and local areas within the states would receive a balance of the funds based on population, as federal law has provided since 1991. Importantly, every eligibility under current law is subsumed under the STP program, so that state and local decision -makers have the maximum flexibility to select any project, whether it is a project to repair a bridge on the interstate System or a less costly bridge repair project in a city, town or county. FACT: The nation's urban areas generate 60 percent of the value of U.S. goods and services. The efficient movement of citizens and goods within these areas is critical to their productivity, and by extension, to the economic productivity of the nation itself. ...National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, 2007 FACT: Nearly 70 percent of the nation's urban and suburban roads ... are in less than good condition, according to the Federal Highway Administration. While the nation is making progress on fixing the Interstate (freeways and expressways), spending to repair older roads and bridges and reinvest in other community transportation facilities is far short of need....Surface Transportation Policy Partnership, 2006 4 llrc W W H Ltles (W xeeu W M�pn j= MAINSTREETSTIMULUS uvoasors w6lmslnueens� mlvs 5. Airport Technology and Infrastructure ($1.5 Billion) The nation's airport infrastructure urgently needs increased funding to begin to address the investment gap in airport capacity, safety, and technology. To create high -paying jobs, assist small businesses and airport retailers, and stimulate economic activity on Main Street, Congress should fund ready -to -go Airport Improvement Program (ALP) projects. These include runway and taxi rehabilitations, extensions, and widening; obstruction removal; apron construction, expansion and rehabilitation; rescue and firefighting equipment and facilities; airside service or public access roads; and noise mitigation and abatement (Part 150) associated with aircraft operations - including voluntary home buyout, which would fuel the local housing market, and residential and business insulation programs. FACT: Total estimates of airports' capital development costs for 2007 through 2011, adjusted for inflation, is 587.4 billion or 517.5 billion annualized. This is a 22 percent increase from the 2005 estimates. ...Airports Council International -North America, 2007 FACT: The total cost of domestic air traffic delays to the U.S. economy was as much as 541 billion for 2007. ...U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, 2008 6. Amtrak Infrastructure ($1.25 Billion) Amtrak is experiencing record ridership across the railroad's entire system for intercity passenger rail service. Amtrak connects rural, suburban, and urban communities in all regions of the nation. With unpredictable and expected higher fuel prices, highway congestion, and an uncertain aviation outlook, Congress should increase federal funding to make necessary upgrades to tracks, bridges and tunnels, electric traction, interlockings, signals and communications, and stations on the nation's Amtrak system. In addition, Amtrak will be able to refurbish rail cars that are currently in storage and return them to service. This funding level would help stimulate local economies by creating thousands of high -paying jobs and small business activity. FACT: Amtrak ridership in Fiscal Year 2008 increased to more than 28 million, marking the sixth straight year of gains and setting a record for the most passengers using Amtrak trains since the National Railroad Passenger Corporation started operations in 1971....Amtrak, 2008 FACT: 54.2 billion is needed just to bring Amtrak engineering infrastructure system to a state -of -good -repair, excluding some major bridge and tunnel work. With the backlog of major bridge and tunnel work, the backlog approaches an estimated $6 billion....Amtrak, 2005 5 m, um,a La,. <aa,.ex, a Mays. MAINSTREETSTIMULUS vvuyw..a,g/maina4,nst . 7. Water and Wastewater Infrastructure ($18.75 Billion) Water and wastewater infrastructure is an integral component of the nation's economic competitiveness, protects public health, and creates jobs. In 2006 alone, local government spent $85 billion on water infrastructure. During the same time the Federal government provided only $1.9 billion through state loans. Through user rates, local bonds, and taxes, local governments contribute 98 percent of the total investment in wastewater and 95 percent of the investment in water infrastructure. Despite the tremendous investment made by local government, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that there still is a $500 billion "needs gap" to meet our water and wastewater infrastructure needs and to comply with current unfunded mandates. Due to leaking pipes, cities can lose anywhere from five to 40 percent of their water and wastewater. Thirty-five percent of cities in a Conference of Mayors survey do not know where their source of water will come from by 2025. Therefore, Congress should allocate an additional $18.75 billion directly to cities as grants to assist with rehabilitating aging water and sewer infrastructure, complying with sewer overflow issues, and promoting source water protection and availability. This additional investment will result in immediate job creation in cities and across the nation, as many local Main Street infrastructure projects are ready to go. FACT: For every dollar of water and sewer infrastructure investment, Gross Domestic Product increases by $6.35 in the long-term. For each additional dollar spent on operating and maintaining the water and sewer industry, revenue or economic output for all industries is increased by $2.62 in that year. In addition, every new water and sewer job creates 3.68 jobs in the national economy....The Cadmus Group, for The U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2008 8. School Modernization ($7.5 Billion) America's schools are in dire need of modernization and repair. Every day, many of our children attend school in overcrowded classrooms with faulty electrical systems, broken windows, peeling paint and leaking roofs. Existing schools are bursting at the seams and hold class in "temporary" trailers, converted closets and hallways. New facilities are desperately needed to accommodate this ever-growing student population. In addition, too many students attend schools that lack the basic electrical and telecommunications equipment necessary for connection to the Internet or to implement new education technologies. The Conference supports a $7.5 billion federal investment to repair and modernize school buildings in both Targe and small city school districts, improve their energy efficiency and equip them with first-class technology. This investment would create jobs in the construction industry, one of the industries hardest hit by the recent economic downturn -- having lost 528,000 jobs since September 2006. In addition, by helping local school districts create schools that are energy efficient and more reliant on renewable sources of energy, this investment could greatly reduce the emissions that contribute to global warming. FACT: The total funding need for public school modernization is 5321.9 billion. Of that total, $268.2 billion of the need is for school infrastructure, and $53.7 billion of the need is for education technology.... National Education Association (NEA): Modernizing Our Schools: What Will It Cost, 2000 6 me U.MW ANn (mk,m[e W M.wn MAINSTREETSTIMULUS 9. Public Housing Modernization ($2.5 Billion) Funding can be used for repair and construction projects, including safety repairs. Every dollar of Capital Fund expenditures produces $2.12 in economic return. Many of the vendors used to make repairs and undertake construction projects are small businesses. FACT: The public housing capital fund has a backlog of capital improvement needs estimated at $20 billion. ...Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 2002 10. Public Safety Jobs and Technology ($2.48 Billion) Unless you have a safe Main Street, you don't have a Main Street. Recent surveys conducted by mayors and police chiefs have found that there is a link between current economic conditions and increasing crime rates, particularly those for burglaries and thefts. Additional COPS Funding - Providing $1.25 billion to local police departments to hire additional personnel would accomplish several purposes: It would put over 16,000 additional police officers on the streets, thus beginning the process of getting local police departments to the staffing levels they require; it would improve public safety in the cities which receive funding for officers, and through that improved public safety contribute to further economic development and, possibly, further job creation. Mayors and police chiefs have recommended that COPS funding be made more flexible so that police departments are able to use that funding both for sworn officers and for those professionally trained in DNA analysis and forensics. Current law limits COPS hiring grants to sworn officers and provides a maximum of $75,000 in federal funding over three years per officer. Additional Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Funding - Providing an additional $1.23 billion to the Byrne program could help to keep thousands of police officers in their jobs, and could make current and newly hired police officers more effective by assuring that they have needed equipment and new technologies. FACT: An additional 92,316 officers are needed in local police, sheriffs' and special jurisdiction departments now. And, 42 percent of cities are seeing increased crime as a result of the current economy....U.S. Conference of Mayors: Economic Downturn and Federal Inaction Impact on Crime Survey, August 2008 7 n. uww Ae n ta.in.n. a •nws ,j'-• MAINSTREETSTIMULUS nn+p+.nclnnvunnuimm Other Emergency Measures for Main Street America Mayors strongly support additional emergency measures to help individuals and business - especially small businesses: Job Training: The stimulus package should include job training funding for dislocated worker and youth employment activities. Small Business Administration Loans: America's small businesses face an ever -tightening credit market in the wake of struggling financial markets. The stimulus package should provide additional reduced -fee loans to small businesses, delivering needed relief to small businesses on Main Street during Wall Street's financial crisis. Extension of Unemployment Benefits: The stimulus package should extend unemployment benefits by seven weeks in all states and another 13 weeks in high unemployment states. Food Assistance: In order to help low-income families cope with rising food prices, the stimulus package should include increases in Food Stamp benefits, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, Food Banks, the Commodity Supplemental Food program, and the senior meals program. Medicaid (FMAP): Twenty-nine states are facing a $52 billion shortfall in revenues in their FY 2009 budgets. As a result, low-income families and children could face cuts or eliminations in health care coverage and services. Therefore, the stimulus package should increase the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for Medicaid health costs. In addition to the stimulus measures above, Congress must address the credit crisis facing local and state governments: Local Government Credit Assistance: Congress should direct the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department to work together under the $700 billion Emergency Economic Stabilization Act to design a facility to provide a funding backstop to the state and municipal government debt market similar to the recently announced program for the commercial paper market. Because of the national credit crisis, cities across the country are having difficultly selling bonds and accessing short-term credit. This new facility should be designed to protect taxpayer resources while ensuring state and local governments can continue to provide vital services to their residents. 8 1N20030661 SR 431/Keystone Avenue Highway Relinquishment Study Prepared for: The City of Carmel, Indiana Executive Summary Highway Study for the Relinquishment Of SR 431 from 96th Street to 136th Street Carmel, Indiana The purpose of this report is to provide an evaluation of the existing SR 431 (Keystone Avenue) from 96'h Street to the US 31 ramps just north of 136th Street (approximately 4.6 miles) for the purpose of relinquishment from INDOT to the City of Carmel. The evaluation includes an assessment of the existing roadway, a summary of necessary improvements with associated costs, and costs associated with future operation and maintenance of the roadway. The existing roadway, for the majority of the corridor, consists of a 4 -lane roadway with a depressed grass median. From 96th Street to just north of 99th Street, the roadway consists of three lanes in each direction. Drainage is perpetuated via roadside ditches, median grate structures, and several crossing culverts of various size. An evaluation of the physical condition of the existing roadway indicates immediate maintenance improvements are not necessary; however, maintenance on the roadway will be needed in the near future. These improvements include small structure replacements, travel lane and shoulder resurfacing and patching, and superstructure replacement of the structures over Cool Creek. In addition to the maintenance costs, several capital improvements are necessary both in the current year and in future years in order to improve the overall level of service (LOS) of the corridor. The intersections through the corridor currently operate well below acceptable LOS; therefore, it will be necessary to make several capital improvements to improve this situation. The anticipated annual maintenance costs and future capital improvement costs for this segment of Keystone Avenue can be found in Appendix "A". The table shows the annual maintenance costs for the next 20 years, as well as capita] improvement costs for the intersections within the corridor. These costs were derived from information provided by the City of Carmel, as well as from reasonable expected costs for such items in the future. Future costs and frequency of improvements are based on expected life of past improvements as well as reasonable costs to be expected to maintain the roadway under increased traffic volumes. A four percent per year inflation rate was assumed to compute the future costs. The total cost for relinquishment in 2006 dollars is 5164,000,000. 2 [N20030661 Purpose of Report The purpose of this report is to provide an evaluation of the existing SR 431 (Keystone Avenue) from 96°i Street to US 31 for the purpose of relinquishment from INDOT to the City of Cannel. The evaluation includes an assessment of the existing roadway, a summary of necessary improvements along with associated costs, and costs associated with future operation and maintenance of the roadway. Project Description This highway condition study includes SR 431 (Keystone Avenue) from approximately 96'" Street to US 31, a length of approximately 4.64 miles (28.25 lane miles). The project falls completely within Carmel city limits. At this location Keystone serves as a main corridor into and through the city from both the north and the south. The arca within the project limits is urbanized with both commercial and residential land use. Existing Roadway The cross section of northbound Keystone Avenue from 961" Street to just north of 991" Street consists of three 12' travel lanes bordered by a 4' inside shoulder and a 10' outside shoulder. The cross section of southbound Keystone Avenue consists of two 12' travel lanes bordered by a 4' inside shoulder and a 10' outside shoulder. Northbound and southbound traffic is separated by a variable width depressed grass median. The existing cross section for the remaining portion of Keystone Avenue consists of two 12' travel lanes, a 4' inside shoulder, and a 10' outside shoulder. Northbound and southbound traffic is separated by a variable width depressed grass median. Auxiliary lanes were constructed at all intersections within the corridor in 1985. These auxiliary lanes provide both left- and right -turn lanes from Keystone Avenue to the cross streets. Along with the construction of auxiliary lanes, the corridor was also resurfaced in 1985. Most recently, the corridor was resurfaced in 2000. Currently the pavement surface is in relatively good condition. As previously mentioned there are multiple intersections within the corridor. Following is a list of these streets, all of which are signalized with turn lanes with the exception of 99`h Street, which is unsignalized. • 96111 Street • Carmel Drive • 98'" Street • 120" Street • 991" Street • 131' Street (Main Street) • 106' Street • 130" Street (Smokey Row Road) Existing street signage is present throughout the project limits. Overhead signage exists along southbound Keystone Avenue just north of 90" Street. Some of the existing signs have visible damage to the sheet metal or sign posts. 3 IN2003066) Street lighting exists along thc corridor at all signalized intersections. The lighting is owned and maintained by INDOT. Various utilities are present throughout the corridor. Overhead power, cable, and telephone cross the corridor at nearly every intersecting street. A sanitary sewer force main exists along the west side of Keystone Avenue within the right-of-way from 99" Street south to 96`h Street. At 96ih Street the main tuns east and runs to the city of Carmel wastewater treatment plant. Underground gas, water, and telephone lines exist at various locations throughout thc corridor, primarily crossings at street intersections. A high pressure gas line crosses Keystone Avenue just south of 1 le Street. The existing limited access right-of-way varies throughout the corridor from approximately 87' to 170' half -width. The right-of-way fence in some areas is in poor condition and consists of faun field fence. Because Keystone has limited access right-of- way, there are no curb cuts for private or commercial drives throughout the corridor. Existing Structures A set of twin bridges over Cool Creek exists within the corridor. Structure No. 431-29- 4830A (northbound and southbound). The structures, which were built in 1963, were rehabilitated with a concrete deck overlay in 1985. Existing clear roadway width consists of two 12' lanes, 3' (min) variable width inside and outside shoulders. The structures are within a 3,820' curve but arc built straight with variable width shoulders. The most recent inspection of the twin structures was completed in 2001. This inspection shows the bridges as being in Fair to Good condition. The deck surface is in fair condition with cracking and leaching evident, along with some spalling occurring. Steel rocker bearings and roller bearings exist at the pier and end bents, respectively. The bearings are in fair condition. The toes of the concrete slopewalis are eroded, and some undermining may be present. The substructure elements are in good condition. The BS expansion joints are in poor condition and are leaking. There are two additional bridge structures located on the ramps to and from US 31. However, these bridges are not included in the inspection as they are outside of the proposed relinquishment area. It was assumed INDOT would desire to maintain the ramp system between Keystone Avenue and US 31. The remaining structure crossings throughout the corridor are small structures. The condition of these structures varies from satisfactory to poor. The majority of these structures are corrugated metal pipes with one or both ends crushed. Many of them need to be replaced in short time. 4 1N20030661 Condition Assessment Roadway The existing roadway was resurfaced in 2000; therefore, the overall physical condition of the pavement is relatively good. Some longitudinal cracking exists between the travel lanes of both northbound and southbound. The shoulders along the corridor appear to be in good to fair condition having been chip and sealed in 2004. The horizontal alignment along the corridor meets sight distance requirements for a 65 mph design speed. The alignment is predominantly on a tangent with the exception of five horizontal curves. The intersection sight distance requirements are met at most of the intersections. The terrain is classified as level. The vertical alignment is relatively flat with grades ranging from +1.37 percent to -3.00 percent. Annual maintenance costs of this corridor would be approximately $1,040,000. This cost varies from year to year depending on specific larger items taking place in that year. Drainage The corridor is drained via 4' flat bottom ditches bordering the roadway. These ditches drain into nearby swales or creeks that exist along the corridor. Several median structures are located within the corridor. These structures serve as an outlet for the median ditches. Under the current roadway configuration the system seems to function adequately. There are several small structures crossing Keystone Avenue that aid the drainage of the corridor. These structures will need to be replaced due to their current condition. The total cost of replacing the small structures in kind is approximately $500,000. Traffic Signals The existing signal hardware in place at the intersections is currently functioning adequately. The signals are not anticipated to need immediate replacement due to equipment age but will need to be updated as other improvements are made throughout the corridor. The costs included for the signals include energy costs, hardware, bulbs, conduit, etc. These costs are estimated along with the estimated costs for the highway lighting at the intersections. The total annual cost of these items is estimated to be $125,000. Bridges It is anticipated the decks of the bridges over Cool Creek will need to be replaced in 2008. The bridges were built in 1963 and rehabilitated in 1985 with a concrete deck 5 1N20030661 overlay. Yearly maintenance between the deck replacement and total structure replacement will he necessary. Total structure replacement is anticipated in 2021. Frequencies of maintenance are more fully described in Appendix B. Miscellaneous Roadway Items Other miscellaneous costs have been included as part of the roadway condition assessment. These items include shallow patching, shoulder scaling, and joint and bump repair. The cost incurred from these items is assumed to occur annually from five years after resurfacing until the next resurfacing. The estimated annual cost for these items is S20,000. Annual Maintenance Costs The cost of maintenance items, such as sign maintenance, litter pick-up, mowing, and snow removal, is included in the total cost. The estimated annual cost for these items is 595,000. Details of the assumed frequencies arc included in appendix 13. Capital Improvements Beyond the annual maintenance necessary to maintain the existing roadway, there are capital improvements that will be needed in order to maintain adequate levels of service (LOS) along the corridor. Analyses of the corridor and existing roadway and intersections conclude that the delay experienced by travelers is primarily caused by the intersections. According to the results of traffic studies and models researched as part of this study, the number of through travel lanes was detemuned to not be the primary cause of the low LOS values; instead the intersections appear to control the LOS through the corridor. Adding travel lanes between intersections may not eliminate the lengthy delays experienced by travelers along the corridor in the present year or in future years. The roadway is classified as a multi -lane Urban Principal Arterial (Suburban). According to the Indiana Design Manual the desirable LOS for a suburban classified roadway is LOS B; the minimum is LOS C. The table below left shows the amount of delay experienced under each level of service category for a signalized intersection, and the table below right shows the density and LOS achieved for a merge/diverge situation along a freeway. LOS Control Delay per Vehicle s/veh A 510 B >10.20 C >20-35 D >35-55 E >55-80 F > 80 Figure : Signalized Intersection LOS 6 LOS Density • /m1/In A 5511 B >11and 518 C >18and 5_26 D > 26 and 5 35 E > 25 and 5_ 45 F Demand Exceeds Ca•aci Figure 2: Merge/Diverge Area LOS 1N20030661 Currently, six of the eight intersections along the corridor are below the minimum level of service. Under the existing configuration and projected traffic counts for 2025, seven of the eight intersections fall below the minimum level of service required for this roadway classification. The excessive delays throughout the corridor warrant capital improvements to the intersections. We have reviewed the 2030 traffic data from the Indianapolis MPO traffic model which includes the proposed "interstate" upgrade of US 31 from 1-465 to SR 38. The data is consistent with the 2025 data used in this analysis. The Indiana Department of Transportation currently has a programmed project to add travel lanes and improve intersections by adding auxiliary lanes. Although this project improves the situation along the corridor, two of the intersections would still fall below the minimum accepted LOS in the build year. Under the proposed configuration, all but one of the intersections fall below acceptable LOS in the design year. Therefore, it is appropriate to consider additional improvement alternates, such as grade separation to improve the current and future LOS. An analysis of the LOS for grade separations during the design year of 2025 was performed and found to provide an acceptable LOS for the given roadway type and use. Complete reconfiguration of the corridor is not immediately necessary, nor is it proposed. Instead, a graduated plan in which grade separations of the intersections with the highest delays would be prioritized, with minor intersection improvements occurring at all of the other intersections. After initial improvements are complete, the delay at the remaining intersections would be evaluated and those with the tnost excessive delays would then be scheduled for improved. This cycle would be repeated every five years in a 20 -year horizon, until all intersections along the corridor experience delays that are at or below the requirements for the roadway classification. Currently, the intersections along Keystone Avenue experiencing the heaviest delay are 96°i Street and Carmel Drive. These two intersections have delays of 132 seconds and 101 seconds, respectively, at their peak times in the day. Timely improvements to these intersections would decrease delays along the corridor; therefore, it was assumed improvements for these intersections be installed in 2008. Due to the proximity of Carmel Drive and 116th Street, a complex configuration of the intersections was assumed. A corridor resurface was assumed to take place at the same time as the construction of improvements at 96th Street and 116th Street/Carmel Drive. This resurface would be a `heavy resurface', which would consist of a 5" bituminous overlay. This heavy resurface would better prepare the corridor to act as a detour route, including trucks, for the duration of construction of US 31, which is currently planned to begin in 2011. Once the first two intersections have been improved and the US 31 corridor improvement project is complete, the next two intersections with the highest delays are 126th Street (65 seconds) and 131' Street (50 seconds). The construction year for these intersections assumed to be upon completion of US 31 improvements. Looking ahead to 2018, 106th Street and 126th Street will be in need of improvements due to poor levels of service. Figure 3 outlines the proposed graduated plan for capital improvements through the corridor. 7 1N20030661 Year of Improvement Intersection 2008 96th and Keystone Avenue 116`" Street and Keystone Avenue Carmel Drive and Keystone Avenue Upon Completion Of US 31 126th Street and Keystone Avenue 131st Street and Keystone Avenue 2018 106th Street and Keystone Avenue 136th Street and Keystone Avenue Figure 3: Schedule of Proposed Improvements As these capital improvement projects are completed, the make-up of the corridor will change. These changes include reduced signalized intersections and increased highway lighting. The number of bridges as well as the number of lane miles of roadway will both increase. The changes in the corridor characteristics have been accounted for in the cost summary table (Appendix A). As the interchange is constructed at each of the formerly signalized intersections, the signal is taken out of the cost analysis. Once the interchange is in place, the number of street lights is assumed to increase. This change is also reflected in cost analysis. Summary/Conclusions The total relinquishment cost as determined by this assessment is $164,000,000. This cost includes costs to improve the corridor's level of service (Capital Improvement costs) and anticipated future maintenance costs of the newly constructed section of roadway over a 20 -year period. 8 IN20030661 Bridge Maintenance and Replacement: Cost is based on the assumed maintenance costs for the existing bridges along the corridor. Deck Patching is assumed to occur every five years while routine maintenance items are incurred yearly. The superstructure of the structures over Cool Creek is assumed to need to be replaced in 2007. Culvert Maintenance: Cost is based an experience estimate of maintaining the existing culverts in the area. Culvert Replacement: Cost is based on the estimated cost of replacing the existing culverts in kind, utilizing available construction cost data. Signal Energy: Cost is based on assumed energy costs for the operation of traffic signals. Signal Bulbs, Hardware Equipment, Conduit, Maintenance: Cost is based on an estimated cost per intersection and includes cost of maintaining signal hardware equipment derived by an existing signal maintenance contract for the City of Carmel. Lighting Energy: Cost is approximately based on average costs per light currently being operated by the City of Cannel. Lighting Hardware Equipment, Conduit, Maintenance: Cost is based on an estimated cost per light and includes cost of maintaining hardware equipment derived from existing lighting maintenance records of the City of Cannel. Right -of -Way: The area for right-of-way was determined using a preliminary layout of each interchange to find the amount of right-of-way needed at a cost per acre currently being experienced in the Carmel area. The right-of-way cost was inflated at a rate of 12 percent per year. Appendix "A" DRIVING 'ROUND KEYSTONE . • Work began in 2008 to convert six intersections on Keystone Parkway into rorjndabout-style interchanges. All of the interchanges and Keystone itself are nowopen, though some finishing work remains. 0 Roundabout Hamilton Co. ®36th Sty 4 131st St!, ,12 h}St DETAIL: 116TH STREET/ CARMEL DRIVE ROUNDABOUT Southbound exit to access Carmel Dr. and 116th St. There is nb other exit to access 116th St. beyond this point or - Arrows indicate direction of traffic. CARMEL'DR. hopping rea; j. TIPS FOR NAVIGATING THE 116TH STREET/- CARMEL TREET%CARMEL DRIVE ROUNDABOUT » Look to your left when entering the roundabout. » Slow down: speeds of 15 to 20 miles per hour are recommended. - » Vehicles in the roundabout have the right-of-way. Wait for a.break in traffic before entering. » Choose your lane before entering the roundabout; stay in the same lane when entering or exiting. Northbound exit to access Carmel Dr. and 116th St. There is no other exit to access Carmel Dr. beyond this point. » Use caution near large vehicles like buses, trucks or pulled trailers which may span more than one lane. Sources: City of Carmel, ESRI, TeleAtlas OCTOBER 7, 2010 The Star Keystone Parkway construction work nears completion Some ramp restrictions rematn By Chris Sikich chrissikich@indystar.com After two long years; construc- tion:is wrapping up on Keystone Parkway. Work on" Keystone began'in 2008 to convert six intersections into roundabout -style inter- changes. This month, crews opened the final interchange to be completed: the Carmel Drive roundabout and ramps connecting it to the 116th Street roundabout. However, construction will con- tinue through November as crews add finishing touches, and the lane restrictions on ramps connecting Carmel Drive and 116th Street will continue into November. Carmel is planning to celebrate the completion of Keystone Park- way interchanges at an Oktober- » See KEYSTONE, Page 3 r. • Vies ICOMMUNITYlCav--PanachelAnti-Ao September 28, 2010 Original phase of Keystone construction ending, further improvements to come By Lauren Burdick Current in Carmel For City Engineer Michael McBride, the Sept. 18 openirig of the Carmel Drive and Key- stone Parkway was one of the final steps in the Keystone Parkway Project. This ribbon -cutting; was not the complete end to the project. "It is the end of the original project, not the end -of the ciry's vision for the ultimate improvements to Keystone Parkway," McBride said. Although the Keystone interchanges at both • Carmel Drive and 116th Street are currently open, construction will continue on both areas as rhe Keystone Parkway Project nears completion. • "Obviously the prime goal with a road that carries this kind of traffic volumes is getting it back up and running," McBride said. According to McBride, the contractor will be working in- terchangeably -on both 116th and Carmel Drive through Nov. 1. Once improvements are finalized on 116th Street and Carmel Drive, the initial phase of the Keystone Parkway Project will end, and Mc- Bride hopes to then turn the city's attention to the intersection of 96th and Keystone Parkway, something he said hinges upon both 1-465 con- struction and cooperation of multiple cities. . "Over the past year, the state has been im- proving rhe north side of 1-465, and 'next year they willbe reconstructing the ramps at 1-465 and Keystone," McBride said. This construc- tion, according to McBride, will include interim improvements to rhe signal at 96th Street and Keystone Parkway do addition co the 1-465 construction, rhe intersection at 96th Street and Keystone sirs on a jurisdictional boundary between Carmel and Indianapolis, as well as rhe Indiana Department of Transportation, which controls the south leg of 96th and Keystone. These two items, plus the need for funding, will dictate rhe riming of any construction at 96th Street. Additionally, the traffic signal at 98th Street and Keystone Parkway will remain intact until I construction begins on 96th and Keystone. Although McBride said he understands rhe hassle the Keystone Parkway Project has put on Carmel's citizens, the roadways are tiow much safer and conducive to large amounts of traffic. "We will definitely see a reduction in acci- dents; the roadway will be much more safe than before. The traffic on Keystone never conflicts with traffic on the cross streets," McBride said. _ "The roundabouts offer an 80 percent decrease in injury accidents compared with traffic signals." KEYSTONE Confinued from Page 1 fest event from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday at Merchants' Square shopping center near 116th Street and Key- stone. The band Polka Boy will perform, and there will be food booths and fall -themed activities. Mayor Jim Brainard has esti- mated the cost for construction at $108 million to $112 million. The city is paying for the project with $90 million in state funds, $11 mil- lion from a bond and the remain- der with interest. The speed limit in construction zones on Keystone is 30 mph. It's 40 mph on remaining portions north of Main Street and south of 116th Street. The city expects to raise the limit, possibly to 50 mph, When construction is finished. * Follow Star reporter Chris Sikich on Twitter at twitter.com/Chrissikich. Call him at (317) 444.6436. i.