FORTVILLE — A regional transportation plan that includes several projects for Fortville is nearing completion, and organizers want the public’s feedback on it.
The Madison County Council of Governments is spearheading the 2045 inMotion plan for the Anderson Metropolitan Planning Area, which encompasses all of Madison County along with the towns of Fortville in Hancock County and Daleville in Delaware County.
Four projects in Fortville are among those slated in the draft plan. One calls for reducing the number of lanes on Broadway between Garden and Madison streets to allow for the installation of bicycle infrastructure, access control and dedicated left-turn lanes.
Adam Zaklikowski, Fortville planning director, said the project will take Broadway from two lanes in each direction to one in each direction with a center two-way left-turn lane. Both sides of the street will also get new sidewalks, lighting and curbs. The realignment, called a road diet, is similar to changes made on West Main Street and West New Road in Greenfield.
Zaklikowski said the idea for the project dates to about 2016.
“There was a committee of folks that were thinking of ways to increase walk-ability in Fortville, to increase more of a small-town, main-street atmosphere on Broadway,” he said.
He added he likes how the project would not need to encroach onto private property.
“We’re able to work within the existing right of way that’s there and have all the improvements because of the loss of travel lanes, so it won’t have a negative impact on property owners,” he said.
Another Fortville 2045 inMotion project will reconstruct Main Street between Church Street and Broadway and enhance pedestrian amenities. The plan also addresses a multi-phase trail from the Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation to Garden Street along Maple Street, Fortville Pike and County Road 200W. Additionally, a signalized pedestrian crosswalk with high-visibility markings will go in at 200W and Fortville Pike, according to details for another project.
Zaklikowski said the trail, crosswalk and Broadway road diet projects would occur in 2023 while Main Street is slated for next year.
He said Fortville is responsible for funding 20% of the trail, crosswalk and Main Street projects while the Indiana Department of Transportation is picking up the rest. No Fortville funds will be needed for Broadway, he continued, adding that project is part of the town’s designation with the state’s Stellar Communities Program.
The Madison County Council of Governments is seeking public comment on the draft long-range transportation plan. Input can be provided at 2045inmotion.com, where visitors can also learn more about all of the projects as well as non-infrastructure programs, policies and plans associated with the endeavor. Feedback will be reviewed and incorporated into the final plan. The web page and comment period will remain open to the public through Sept. 27.
Efforts for the plan have been underway since March 2019 and will act as a guide for the future of roads, bridges, sidewalks, trails, bike lanes, transit and freight facilities throughout the Anderson Metropolitan Planning Area.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic started, a community summit on the region’s future called Destination 2045 was held to test the initial direction as well as discuss local and regional transportation issues. Participants answered survey questions on land use, growth, development and transportation. The questions stemmed from earlier engagement rounds held in communities throughout the planning area. Plans to continue seeking public input slowed due to the pandemic, but the Madison County Council of Governments is continuing the process online.
“This is an important final step in gathering ideas and perspectives from community members, key stakeholders and elected officials on how we can improve our communities,” said Ryan Phelps, principal transportation planner for the Madison County Council of Governments, in a news release. “We want as many people as possible to be heard and to participate in the long-term blueprint and investment strategy for our region.”
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Read more about the plan and provide input at 2045inmotion.com. The public comment period ends Sept. 27.
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Here’s a summary of the Fortville projects included in the regional transportation plan
Mt. Vernon Trail Construction Project
Construct a new multi-phase trail from the Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation to Garden Street along Maple Street, Fortville Pike and County Road 200W.
County Road 200W and Fortville Pike Intersection Improvement Project
Install a signalized, actuated pedestrian crosswalk with high visibility markings.
Main Street Reconstruction Project
Reconstruct Main Street between Church Street and State Road 67/Broadway Street and enhance pedestrian amenities.
U.S. 36/State Road 67/Broadway Road Diet Project
Reduce number of lanes on Broadway between Garden Street and Madison Street to allow for the installation of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, access control and dedicated left turn lanes.
Source: Madison County Council of Governments
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