Motorists in Carmel and Westfield will soon see a remedy to what many see as one of the biggest traffic headaches along the border between the two cities.
Hamilton County broke ground April 13 on a new ramp that will allow motorists to access southbound Keystone Parkway from 146th Street.
Currently, motorists can drive north along Keystone and take an exit to get to Lowe’s, Koto’s Japanese Steakhouse, Menards and more. But returning, there’s no southbound route back onto Keystone. Many motorists cut through residential areas, such as Foster Estates, or cut through Clay Terrace, a pedestrian-heavy outdoor mall.
Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt said it’s one of the biggest projects people have asked for since he took office.
“If you’ve ever traveled in the morning during the peak hours on Carey Road, especially during school hours, you’ll see there’s significant backup there,” he said. “A lot of the people who live in these areas take longer alternative routes just to get onto southbound Keystone. This will provide them convenience to get to work quicker and also get home faster.”
Phase I of the project will also connect the northbound Keystone Parkway ramp from 136th Street to the northbound Keystone ramp to Lowes Way and 146th Street. Crews will also change the existing signal at the entrance to Lowes Way to a roundabout. Phase I will cost $10 million and should be complete by 2019. Federal funds will cover approximately 48 percent of the cost and Hamilton County will cover the remaining cost with local tax increment financing funds.
In Phase II, Range Line Road will connect to Lowes Way.
