The proposed 106th Street Interchange on I-69 is a very big deal for Fishers.  It is expected to become a major economic development engine for that area of the city.  There are strong indications an employer will soon announce a number of new jobs in that area, and one can only surmise that the proposed new interchange is a major factor in choosing that location.

There are plenty of reasons this interchange is a good idea.  First and foremost is the need to relieve the traffic burden on nearby I-69 interchanges, such as 96th, 116th & Exit 210. That alone is justification enough for many regular Fishers commuters.

The tentative design for this interchange is very different.  It calls for a roundabout to move vehicles on and off the interstate.  I am sure that idea will spark plenty of comments locally.

There is a public hearing set for Thursday, September 10th at 6pm, at Fishers City Hall.  If you have any interest in this proposed project at all, I would urge you to attend this meeting.  Officials from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT, the state highway people) will be there to present the plans as they exist at this time.  You will be given a chance to speak and comment on the project during the public hearing process.

Meanwhile, I continue to get questions on the status of the proposal to revamp State Road 37 along Fishers and Noblesville, creating overpass roundabouts replacing the traffic signals we have now.  This proposal would look much like Keystone Avenue in Carmel.  The last official word on this is that all the government entities involved (cities, county, state) have been in talks about how to fund a project expected to cost about a quarter-billion dollars.  There have been rumors of some movement in those talks.  We should know more before the end of September.

For the fast growing parts of southern Hamilton County, easing traffic woes is a major quality of life issue for those commuting to and from work.  I commuted from downtown Indianapolis to Fishers for about 6 years.  I have experienced first hand just how a lengthy and difficult commute can suck the energy out of a person over time.  It appears our elected officials are trying to come up with some solutions.  It is now time for you, members of the public, to speak at the public hearings and let your elected officials, from the governor on down to your city council members and everything in between, know how you feel about these proposals.