By Heather Lusk
Construction will soon begin on the roundabout at the intersection of Ford and Bloor roads after nearly a year-long delay.
On June 2, after the last day of school, Bloor Road eastbound will be close to through traffic for the summer. As of May 26 the west entrance to the Village Walk subdivision will close permanently. This short street segment will become a pathway for pedestrians.
Village Walk resident Andrea Tennancour expressed frustration with the necessary elimination of the entrance in order to create the roundabout.
“It probably will help traffic on Ford Road in actuality,” she said, “but it’s not going to help our neighborhood.”
She’s concerned that it may be a challenge during rush hour to turn left or right out of fewer entrances because of the anticipated backlog created by the roundabout.
Tennancour felt that the additional drive time that it will take for those who live near the soon-to-be-eliminated entrance may not be worth the benefit.
“It’s unfair for the residents who live on that side of the neighborhood who use that entrance daily,” she said. “It’s a big neighborhood.”
The 120-day project will be completed in four phases. According to Lance Lantz, Zionsville superintendent of street/stormwater services, it’s during the last phase when full utility of the intersections will be restored. The project is planned to be completed before school resumes on Aug. 11.
“We’re trying to be very respectful of the needs of the school itself as well as students who drive to school,” Lantz said. “We are looking at contingency practices in time for school to start if things get delayed.”
During the project, Ford Road will remain open to through traffic for most of the time with occasional short closures to dig storm sewers under the road.
“This schedule requires everything to fall in line very, very well,” Lantz said. “That doesn’t always happen with road construction projects.”
The project was originally approved in March 2014. The delay was primarily caused by challenges in acquiring the property at the southeast corner. The home was in foreclosure and the property was transferred to different banks. According to Lantz it was often difficult to find the correct person with whom to do business, creating a longer than anticipated delay. The home was vacated upon the death of the occupants.
The home on the property was acquired by the town in December 2014 and demolished in February.
