Carmel makes pitch for roundabout funds

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) - The mayor of Carmel wants to add a roundabout at 96th Street and Keystone Avenue.

Carmel took over the road from the state in 2007. Since then, the city has been working to ease congestion by constructing roundabouts. City leaders said if they don't do something now at 96th Street, the problem will only get worse.

"96th Street is kind of the piece that's left unmanaged unless we get this project funded," said Carmel engineer Michael McBride.

Last week, Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard went to Washington to submit an application for federal funding. The stimulus money is part of the American Reinvestment & Recovery Act.

If approved, the federal government would foot the bill for the $55 million roundabout at 96th and Keystone.

"We had to make a case for the benefits of the project and they are significant," McBride said.

McBride said the new roundabout will cut out traffic lights like other roundabouts but will "look" completely different from the others.

In a rendering of the proposed roundabout, Keystone Avenue traffic would go over the proposed roundabout. Traffic going east and west on 96th Street would use the roundabout under Keystone Avenue.

"We think it would be a drastic improvement for quality of life, safety, mobility, travel time reduction," said McBride.

While some Carmel residents disapprove of the proposed project, there are some who like the idea.

"It will be a mess of construction but I definitely think it will help with the flow of traffic, no doubt about it," said Leo Spikermans.

City officials said they expect to find out if the application is approved in February. If it is, construction on the 96th Street & Keystone roundabout is slated to start in the spring of 2011.

If not, Carmel plans to re-apply.