I recall some time ago receiving a question from a reader on plans for a pedestrian bridge over the White River.  There have been lots of ideas bounced around, but this was news to me.  The question came in about the same time the initial Fishers 2024 comprehensive plan was announced and, sure enough, that pedestrian bridge was listed as a long-term goal.

That long-term plan may be coming to fruition soon.  At the July 12 Fishers City Council meeting, Delaware Township Trustee Debbie Driskell and Fishers City Engineering Director Jason Taylor laid out plans with Carmel and Clay Township for a $5 million bridge over the White River, which would land near the Ambassador House on the Fishers side, just north of the planned White River Park.

Driskell told council members the talks with Carmel and Clay Township have been ongoing for about a year-and-a-half.  She said the bridge could provide one of the largest interconnected trail networks in the nation, with Carmel’s trail network connected to Fishers’ trails.  Taylor sad the bridge could be completed by November of 2024.

“It’s a landmark deal,” Driskell told the council.  “I don’t know of any other townships that have come together, along with their respective cities, to do such a project.”

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness also had high praise for this plan.

“I honestly think that a pedestrian bridge over the White River is really going to be extraordinary,” said Fadness.  “We’ve never had anything like that in Fishers.”

Driskell also talked about two other projects the Delaware Township Board is working on, including connecting Lantern Road, along 131st Street, to the Nickel Plate Trail.  The township is also planning a connection to the Nickel Plate Trail from the Delaware Township office on 131st Street.