Fishers/Hamilton County to push for new I-69 interchange at 106th St (Indianapolis: home)

[ischyros]

I don't really know that this will relieve much congestion on I-69. It may reduce some congestion along 116th and 96th Streets. And I understand it would be nice for the people that work in the office parks between 96th and 116th Streets, but this would put three interchanges in a 3 mile stretch of the highway, which, in my opinion, will just increase congestion, not alleviate it. Plus 106th Street is just a narrow 2 lane road. I don't know that it could handle the extra traffic from an interstate exit. Personally, I will never understand why they didn't go for an interchange at 126th St when they widened that road to 4 lanes, but that's another story.

http://www.ibj.com/hamilton-county-o.../article/38552

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by ischyros

I don't really know that this will relieve much congestion on I-69. It may reduce some congestion along 116th and 96th Streets. And I understand it would be nice for the people that live in the office parks between 96th and 116th Streets, but this would put three interchanges in a 3 mile stretch of the highway, which, in my opinion, will just increase congestion, not alleviate it. Plus 106th Street is just a narrow 2 lane road. I don't know that it could handle the extra traffic from an interstate exit. Personally, I will never understand why they didn't go for an interchange at 126th St when they widened that road to 4 lanes, but that's another story.

Hamilton County officials to push for new I-69 interchange | 2012-12-17 | Indianapolis Business Journal | IBJ.com

I wonder if Fishers High School and Billericay Park were an obstacle to putting one in at 126th.

[ischyros]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

I wonder if Fishers High School and Billericay Park were an obstacle to putting one in at 126th.

I could see the park, but you really only need an entrance and exit from the interstate in one direction. I mean, the SB exit lane could travel under the bridge and then turn northwest to connect with 126th across from Promise Rd, with the entrance to SB there as well. You might have to buy and tear down that storage facility that is there, but everything else should be fine. And they just put in a stoplight at that intersection. And the opposite on the NB side. Exit traffic travels under the bridge and then makes a turn south, though it'd be too sharp of a turn to line up with Hoosier Rd. The only obstacle there is a retention pond. To me, a 5 mile stretch of interstate the the heart of Fishers without an interchange is just too long.

[indy_317]

Why don't they wait to see if they get their billion dollar train? All we hear from the Hamilton Co. elected leaders is that the train and expanded bus service is need and will be a benefit. OK, if it is such a home run, wouldn't that mean a lot less car traffic in that area? They shouldn't be allowed to have it both ways: Either stick with the train plan, or scrap the costly train, expand rush-hour express bus service, and construct this interchange if it will really help.

[ischyros]

Originally Posted by indy_317

Why don't they wait to see if they get their billion dollar train? All we hear from the Hamilton Co. elected leaders is that the train and expanded bus service is need and will be a benefit. OK, if it is such a home run, wouldn't that mean a lot less car traffic in that area? They shouldn't be allowed to have it both ways: Either stick with the train plan, or scrap the costly train, expand rush-hour express bus service, and construct this interchange if it will really help.

Train service is only a small portion of the Indy Connect plan that will great enhance and expand bus service and coverage throughout Marion and Hamilton County. The rail line will also have more stops in Marion County than it will in Hamilton County.

And this interchange is more for people commuting TO Fishers, the office parks that line I-69 in that 2 mile stretch, not so much from Fishers.

[domergurl]

I used to love taking 106th street as an alternate because there was never much traffic on it if I needed to go east/west ... not so much now.

building roads is cheaper than building train lines I guess.

[indy_317]

Originally Posted by ischyros

Train service is only a small portion of the Indy Connect plan that will great enhance and expand bus service and coverage throughout Marion and Hamilton County. The rail line will also have more stops in Marion County than it will in Hamilton County.

I don't consider any part of any plan that is 50% of the cost to be "only a small portion." The number of stops is irrelevant, as the bulk of the rational for a rail line in this area is due to commuter traffic on I-465/I-69. The number of stops likely has more to do with politics than anything. If they can prove Marion Co. will be funding the bulk of the project, and get most of the benefits (especially if one looks at the bus expansion), then it is clear to me the last thing MC leaders want are more stations built in the burbs. Just more reason for folks to leave the city and take their taxes with them.

Originally Posted by ischyros

And this interchange is more for people commuting TO Fishers, the office parks that line I-69 in that 2 mile stretch, not so much from Fishers.

Well, the same folks gotta leave, so to me it is a wash. I doubt they will design it solely to benefit the morning incoming rush. Not only that, there has been many suggestions that anyone who happens to live in S. Marion Co./N. Johnson could cut their car drive in half and use the rail system to ride to Fishers.