Indianapolis Mayor Hogsett to celebrate funding of future Emerson Avenue lane-widening project

MPO News
| Friday, July 20 | 9:17AM

More than $10 million funding appropriation from Metropolitan Planning Organization will help improve access to Indianapolis' south side, Franciscan Health resources

On Monday, Mayor Joe Hogsett will join Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Director Anna Gremling to celebrate the appropriation of $10,142,500 in federal transportation dollars to help fund the widening of Emerson Avenue from County Line to Stop 11 roads. The future project will improve traffic flow on the south side of Indianapolis, enhancing access to community assets such as the healthcare resources available at Franciscan Health.

WHO:Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Director Anna Gremling
WHEN:July 23, 2 p.m.
WHERE:Franciscan Health Indianapolis, Center for Women and Children lobby, 8111 S. Emerson Ave. (Follow signs to parking for Center for Women and Children.)
WHY:To represent the federal funds coming to the south side of Indy for widening Emerson Avenue
VISUALS:MPO Executive Director Anna Gremling will present oversized check to Mayor Hogsett

As part of an annual funding process, City of Indianapolis planners submitted projects for consideration by the Metropolitan Planning Organization, which is responsible for planning and programming federal transportation funds in the eight-county Central Indiana region. Projects are judged based on such criteria as impacts to air quality, improvements to congestion, safety, pavement quality and more.

Indianapolis was one of 15 regional communities and agencies selected to receive federal funds.

“It’s always a very competitive process, Gremling said. “This year we had 73 projects submitted, and Indianapolis had 11 projects rise to the top. Building and maintaining infrastructure is one of local governments’ biggest challenges, but also critical to the regional and state economies.”

Joining Mayor Hogsett and Director Gremling will be state Sen. Aaron Freeman, State Sen. Michael Speedy and Indianapolis City-County Councilors Scott Kreider, Brian Mowery and John Wesseler, as well as Dr. James Callaghan, President and CEO of Franciscan Health Central Indiana, Mayor Mark Myers of Greenwood and Mayor Dennis Buckley of Beech Grove.

According to Indianapolis’ application, the widening will address traffic bottlenecks north of the Indianapolis-Greenwood border.

Construction on the Emerson Avenue widening project is scheduled for 2023. The total cost is $12,678,125, with 80 percent – $10,142,500 – of it federal funding through the Metropolitan Planning Organization. The remaining 20 percent – $2,536,625 – will come from the City of Indianapolis.

In addition to the Emerson Avenue widening, the 10 additional projects, which received a total of $9,615,313 in federal funds – are listed below.

  • Pedestrian enhancements in four high crash zones (5B, 11A, 11B and 11C)
  • A bridge rehabilitation on Emerson Avenue over Bean Creek
  • A bridge rehabilitation on 29th Street over the Canal
  • A bridge rehabilitation on College Avenue over the Canal
  • A bridge rehabilitation on Keystone Avenue over the White River
  • Knozone Awareness Program
  • Bicycle enhancements related to the Michigan Street Road Diet Phase 1

About the Metropolitan Planning Organization

Federal law requires each urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or more to have an MPO, and the MPO planning process is required to receive federal funds for transit, transportation alternatives, and roadway improvements. The Indianapolis MPO encompasses 1,520 square miles and includes eight counties and 31 cities and towns. For more information, visit www.IndyMPO.org.

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MPO MEDIA CONTACT: Jen Schmits Thomas, 317-441-2487, jen@jtprinc.com

INDIANAPOLIS DPW MEDIA CONTACT: Betsy Whitmore, 317-945-4939, betsy.whitmore@indy.gov