Current in Carmel asked residents and leaders what they think about all the road construction in Carmel, including the 90-day road closure at Carmel Drive and Range Line Road to build a new roundabout. Here’s a sampling of what people told us:
“I’m just as frustrated as anyone else, but I know when it’s done it’ll be awesome. It doesn’t make it any easier. When I meet people who are coming here from California and Georgia and Boston, I hear them say how lucky we are to have the things we have. I know the crud that we are putting up with now for the next 80 days will be worth it. It ultimately will be a really good thing. Doesn’t change my frustration level now.” – Greg Cooper, Carmel resident and broker at Berkshire Hathaway near the road closure.
“I think it would have been a lot better if they would have started on this construction earlier in the summer so it could have been complete before school starts. It’s kind of crazy now. Or at least they could have waited to start on 126th Street. It’s pretty inconvenient having everything closed at once.”
– Missy King Cardenas, Carmel resident and stylist/owner of Hair By Design in Carmel
“Hamilton County will nearly double (in population) in coming decades. It’s important that the city be proactive. Once completed, Carmel’s new road projects will set a new standard for cities and suburbs and be a huge advantage in maintaining a high quality of life. It’s important that Carmel residents remember businesses are all still open. A few extra minutes is someone else’s livelihood. It’s important to encourage friends and neighbors to buy local.”
– Bruce Kimball, city councilor representing the area
“Construction can always be tough, but I appreciate all of the help the City of Carmel has given us, and I just want to let people know that we are still open for business and we will get through this and it will be great when it’s done.”
– Zachary Darring, owner of Zeke’s Hot Chicken, located near the closure
“Bottom line, it is poor planning and poor management. Closing all these east-west routes doesn’t magically make the traffic disappear. I’m growing more and more concerned all the time, especially from both a civic and economic standpoint. Where does the fire truck come for houses south of 116th on Gray Road? How many minutes out of their way does the station at 126th have to go around to make it there?”
– Bob Wallace, Carmel resident
“I just want to remind people that the previous city council voted specifically to remove the Carmel Drive and Range Line roundabout from the city’s plans. When I left office, the mayor thought he would put it back in. This tells you that elections do matter. They have consequences.”
– Luci Snyder, former city councilor
“The important thing is to get in and get this project done quickly. If you don’t do a full closure it could take five, six, seven times as long. Then the businesses are affected for a much longer time. We try to get in, get done, and we find that’s the best way.”
-Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard
