Commissioner Steve Dillinger is excited about all the projects and construction taking place and planned within Hamilton County. During his annual State of the County address to the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce, Dillinger highlighted a few efforts made by the county that have saved taxpayers’ money as well as upcoming projects residents should notice:

County Employee Health Clinic and Pharmacy

In 2012 the county partnered with Riverview Hospital to create the county employee clinic and pharmacy. Dillinger said the facility saved more than $200,000 in the first year. “We hope to save as much as $800,000 each year,” he said.

Countywide dispatch service

The Noblesville and Carmel dispatch offices were both consolidated to Hamilton County. Dillinger said the consolidation saved Noblesville $1.1 million and Carmel $1.8 million. “All of us had to work together to save taxpayers $3 million,” he said.

Construction Projects

• 146th Street west from Springmill Road to the Boone County line. The $30-million high priority project is funded 80 percent with federal dollars and 20 percent with local funds. Dillinger said Phase I from Springmill to Ditch roads was planned for construction starting later this year with major construction coming in 2014. This is the last section of 146th Street that will connect Interstate 69 to State Road 421.

• The Monon Pedestrian Bridge over 146th Street was constructed with 80 percent federal dollars. Dillinger said it was scheduled for completion this spring. “The structure is unique in that it has a heated deck surface that Carmel Parks Dept. has agreed to maintain,” he said.

• Dillinger said funding for a roundabout at Hague and Carrigan roads has been secured. Construction to turn the three-way stop to a roundabout is planned for 2014. “This is another cost sharing project with the county, Noblesville and federal funds,” he said.

• The 96th Street and Olio Road project, which will be finished this spring, completes the expansion of Olio Road on the county’s south side. Dillinger said this project had transformed the two-lane road into a four- to five-lane corridor.

• To ease congestion at the 96th and 116th streets interchange, construction is coming to 106th Street and I-69. The $25-million project will be paid by Fishers ($8 million), Hamilton County ($2 million) and INDOT ($15 million). Dillinger said I-69 would be developed like Keystone Avenue in Carmel with the goal to promote economic development in that general area. Construction is tentatively scheduled for 2015.