INDIANAPOLIS – A long-standing fued between Indianapolis and Carmel officials over roundabout construction may be over as of Tuesday.
Indianapolis and Carmel officials came to a tentative agreement to settle a lawsuit on whether Carmel could install a series of roundabouts on 96th Street.
The agreement allows Carmel to build roundabouts at Hazel Dell Parkway, Gray Road and Delegates Row as long as the city agrees to repair any Indianapolis streets damaged as a result of the construction.
The agreement still needs approval by both councils.
In late July a Boone County judge issued an order blocking the city of Carmel from building roundabouts along 96th street near the Indianapolis border.
Carmel has pushed for the roundabouts’ construction along 96th Street between Keystone Parkway and the White River since 2016, as city officials believe it will solve traffic congestion in the area.
Due to the roundabouts’ placements, on the border of Indianapolis and Carmel, it has caused a long-standing legal dispute between the two cities.
In June, Indianapolis filed a lawsuit against Carmel stating the construction will shrink the city and remove land from Marion County tax rolls. The suit also states there was no traffic study completed.
In May, Carmel’s Director of Engineering Jeremy Kashman said Carmel still planned to build the roundabouts, regardless of whether they got Indianapolis’ approval.
“We reached out as a courtesy to meet with them and discuss the project,” said Kashman previously. “We’re not asking Indianapolis to pay for it. We’re investing $43 million of Carmel’s money in the corridor.”
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Carmel spokesperson Nancy Heck released the following statement following the ruling:
It is important to note that this is a preliminary injunction, not a permanent injunction.
We are pleased that the judge recognized that Carmel has been attempting for many months to enter into an interlocal agreement with Indianapolis that will allow it to improve traffic safety and relieve congestion on 96th Street, and that Indianapolis has simply refused to discuss the terms of such a mutual agreement that would allow this road project to proceed.
We are also pleased that the judge has agreed to order Indianapolis to engage in mediation to resolve whatever issues are causing it to hamper Carmel’s efforts to move forward with this needed infrastructure improvement.
The City of Carmel intends to work hard to create a safer roadway that will best serve the long-term needs of our growing communities – both Carmel and Indianapolis.
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