(CARMEL, IN. July 1, 2009) – The Monon Bridge over Carmel Drive was officially recognized in a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony today at noon. The event was held in the north plaza beneath the bridge. Speakers for the event included Mayor Jim Brainard, Ron Carter, Councilor At Large and Greenways Foundation Executive Director; Eric Seidensticker, Councilor of District Two, and Dave Richter, President of United Consulting.
The City of Carmel Monon Greenway Bridge Project at Carmel Drive began in July 2008. The bridge opened for public use in November 2008 and the access trail was opened for public use in June 2009. The City began this project with a vision for increasing safety for pedestrians on the Monon Greenway and motorists on Carmel Drive in a way that reflects the architectural design of the City of Carmel.
The bridge design includes a steel bowstring truss spanning Carmel Drive. The Monon Greenway is elevated by retaining walls that stretch approximately 500 feet north and south of the road. In addition, plazas are provided under the bridge end spans providing users with rest areas as well as access to the Monon Greenway. This project serves not only as a grade separation for the users of the Monon Greenway but as a gateway into the heart of the City of Carmel.
A project website and webcam were put in place to update both the recreational traffic on the Monon and also vehicular traffic on Carmel Drive. Picture updates enabled both trail and motor vehicle traffic to visualize the current travel conditions at the project site. Project photos can still be viewed at http://mononbridge.com
The Carmel Monon Greenway Bridge Project was primarily funded with federal dollars from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Surface Transportation Program. Through this program, the federal funding is 80 percent of a project with a 20 percent match made by the City of Carmel. The total cost of the bridge project was approximately $3.5 million.
The bridge over Carmel Drive is the third installment in a series of safer passage options for Monon Trail users in the City of Carmel. In July 1998, as part of Phase I of Carmel City Center, City Center Drive was reconstructed to go over the trail allowing pedestrians and cyclists to pass freely through an underpass. A tunnel beneath 116th Street was constructed in August 2007.
Contact: Nancy Heck (317) 571-2494
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