By Sophie Pappas
The Ford Road roundabout at the intersection of Ford Road and Bloor Lane has been delayed until 2015.
For some, this comes as no surprise considering the bureaucratic loopholes the town has gone through to get the project to the point it is at today.
Residents of the Village Walk subdivision (the neighborhood nearest the corner of Ford Road and Bloor Lane) have been outspoken the roundabout since the town first introduced the plans last October. The second entrance on Ford Road into the subdivision will be affected.
“The roundabout will eliminate the entrance into Village Walk subdivision,” said Zionsville Street Dept. Supt. Lance Lantz. “This is why the project has been discussed at length since it was presented in this configuration to the Village Walk Homeowners Association.”
David Lindsey, president of the Village Walk Homeowner’s Assoc., said: “The Village Walk Board has not taken an official position on the project. Opinions vary significantly on the pros and cons and the effects it will have on our neighborhood. We have strived to keep everyone informed and up to date.”
Lantz said that the delay is also the result of significant difficulties experienced in the acquisition of an essential property which has been foreclosed upon and is now bank-owned and controlled. This property sits across the street from Village Walk.
“The house in question is indeed the white on the southeast corner of the intersection,” Lantz said. “It includes a detached garage that is very close to the road.”
Due to the expected length of time anticipated to obtain the property, Lantz said there would not be sufficient time left in 2014 to complete the season.
Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2015. The tentative, revised schedule contemplates a fall, 2014 re-bidding of this project. Until that time, utility companies may be doing work in the area to relocate their facilities in advance of the roadway construction.
“All involved I believe want the project to begin and end as quickly as possible in the optimal time period. During summer school recess makes the most sense,” Lindsey said.
