Carmel Planning For $217M in Road Improvements

The bridge will be closed until late fall.

The city of Carmel is proposing a plan that includes infrastructure improvements, road projects and roundabouts. The three-year, $217 million plan will be presented to the Carmel City Council January 4.

The plan includes 13 separate ordinances and three resolutions authorizing bonds to fund the projects. The city says if the bonds are issued, it will result in a small increase in property taxes for most Carmel residents.

Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard the average homeowner in a $200,000 house will pay just $22 more per year and those in homes over $345,000 will see no increase because they’ve reached the constitutional one percent cap. It would be the first time since 1993 that the city has raised taxes for this purpose.

“Our residents made it very clear in May that they want us to continue to invest wisely in our community, focusing on projects that make our roads safer, our commute times shorter and the time we spend with our families longer," said Brainard. "It’s important that we make these investments while we are a growing city so future generations can benefit from our shared community vision to create the best city in which to live, work and play in the Midwest."

The plan calls for the construction of 30 roundabouts throughout the city along with other road construction projects. It would also see storm water infrastructure and subdivision drainage improvements. 

“After working with city staff and the mayor I am pleased with the list of projects that I believe will benefit all of Carmel,” said City Councilman-elect Bruce Kimball. “The projects for storm water and traffic flow will have a particularly positive impact on every neighborhood in the central district. With Hamilton County to nearly double in population in coming decades and as our housing ages, we have to ensure Carmel remains just as effective in the future as it is today in attracting new citizens and businesses.”

The city says many of the projects will be funded with a mix of local, state and federal funds. The city also plans to purse additional federal and state funding.