Trail Updates and Down-Lows

You Shall Go No Further!

There’ve been interesting developments on the local multiuse trails of late, so here’s the latest that I know about. First, the Monon Rail Trail detour around the North Split construction is no more: traffic has resumed following the original pathway beneath I-65 to 10th Street, where you can connect with the easternmost leg of the Cultural Trail. In theory, you can connect with the Pogue’s Run trail too, though when I last went through, the sidewalk was mostly blocked by construction signs between the Monon and Dorman Street. The loop that runs alongside College is closed, though you can go west from the main trail.

Indy DPW to Block Motorists from Monon Trail

Preparing for new bollards at East 49th Street

In apparent response to media coverage (on WTHR television and in the Indianapolis Star) about motorists driving on local multiuse trails, Indy’s Department of Public Works has taken action. Beginning on March 22, 2023, DPW has begun the installation of bollards to block vehicular traffic on certain segments of the Monon Trail; as well as some portions of the Pennsy Trail. Similar traffic-calming devices have long been in place on trails in Hamilton County, especially the highly popular Monon Trail.

Indy’s Six Most Dangerous Bike Trail Intersections: Number Six

After the untimely, senseless death of BGI mechanic Frank Radaker on the Monon Trail (October, 2021), some of the Indy bicycle community lobbied the city for changes that would make cycling in the city safer. To our uncertain knowledge, there has been a change. By “a change,” we mean just one: traffic engineers reprogrammed the pedestrian crossing lights at the Monon trail / 86th Street intersection where Radaker was killed; giving trail users a 10-second window when no motor vehicles have a green light. Now, if engineers could just reprogram those drivers who routinely ignore the “no turn on red” signs…

Indy's East-side Cyclists get More Options

Pennsy Trail signage

A blurb in the Indianapolis Star a few months ago mentioned that the Parks Department had closed a gap in the Pennsy Trail on the city's far east side. This rail-to-trail offering parallels the old National Road, aka US 40, also known as Washington Street. The Ms grew up in the Irvington neighborhood, so we thought it might be interesting to check out this new section of trail, which reaches from Post Road to Shortridge (the street, not the high school).

At its western end (as of this writing, anyway) the trail connects with the Pleasant Run Parkway multiuse trail at Ellenberger Park via a wide sidewalk along Ritter. After a little bit of twisting and turning along Bonna Avenue, the trail takes off, arrow straight, headed for Greenfield. Well, headed for Mt. Comfort Road, actually – more on that later.