INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Department of Public Works recently announced the official opening of the Nickel Plate Trail in Indianapolis, a $14.9 million investment in the city’s growing trail network. The celebration marked the completion of a project more than a decade in the making. What began as a vision to transform a historic rail corridor into a safe space for residents has now become one of the city’s most exciting trail additions.
Partnership at all levels was paramount to make this project a reality. Through partners at the state level, the City of Indianapolis was awarded $5 million for the Indiana DNR Next Level Trails program and was awarded $1.2 million in READi funds.
Construction began in 2023, and the completed project will connect the Indiana State Fairgrounds, Fall Creek Trail, Monon Trail, Castleton, and Hamilton County, creating a continuous north-south corridor for pedestrians and cyclists. The project includes multi-use spur connections at 62nd Street east to Eastwood Middle School and on 86th Street west to Sahm Park. A small segment near I-465 will be completed and opened in 2026 in coordination with INDOT’s Clear Path 465 project.
The Nickel Plate Trail enhances mobility and accessibility across Indianapolis by providing residents with more ways to travel without a vehicle. High Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK signals) will help make motorists aware of trail users crossing intersections.
The 10-foot-wide, asphalt, multi-use trail was constructed with support from a $5 million grant from Indiana DNR announced in April 2022.
