Based on my Web site analytics, a large number of readers have absorbed the February 21st post on State Road 37 and 141st Street. Based on the feedback I am getting from my readers, it appears most residents understand what is going on, but allow me to put the entire issue into some perspective.
It is clear members of the Fishers City Council are hearing from their constituents about my story. Todd Zimmerman recently posted on Facebook about the issue and Jocelyn Vare raised the subject on her live Facebook video Tuesday night.
I want everyone to know how I learned there were potential budget issues that could impact the roundabout plans at 141st & SR 37. It was a document posted on a Hamilton County Web site. It provided minutes of a recent Hamilton County Commissioners meeting when Commissioner Christine Altman mentioned, per those minutes, that Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness contacted her asking whether the county was “committed on 141st Street or not.”
When I asked the city for comment, the communications staff confirmed that the mayor had a conversation with Commissioner Altman, discussing contingencies in the event of cost overruns.
I attend city meetings regularly, including the City Council Finance Committee, the City Council and the Board of Works and Public Safety. It is clear to me that construction costs are rising at a clip not foreseeable when the $124 million budget was set for the SR 37 project in 2015. I understand staying within budget will be a challenge.
As a reporter, once I reviewed the commissioners meeting minutes, it was the first time there had been any public indication that the budget on this highway reconstruction could have a major impact on the 141st Street interchange.
As plans stand now, 141st Street will be a roundabout at State Road 37. As I wrote on February 21st, no decision has been made to change that interchange into a right-in, right-out design, with no way to cross SR 37 at 141st Street. It appears costs of construction, if continuing to climb, could be a problem.
I feared that many would not read the story carefully, but the comments I have received, via social media and blog comments, show me that most readers know this is a contingency plan. However, some are very upset that this is even being considered.
It will be a while before any decision is made on 141st Street at SR 37, and I sincerely believe city officials in charge of this project, and the county which has partnered on the funding, will do everything in their power to keep the roundabout design on 141st & SR 37 intact.
However, we all need to be aware that the budget could fall short. Since I live near this area, I have been getting plenty of comments from my neighbors. I understand the concern. But let’s wait for the decision. As your local volunteer blog reporter, I will be watching this and other developments as the SR 37 reconstruction begins in the coming weeks and months.