NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WDRB) — Traffic barrels and construction equipment mark the start of what will be a 1.5 mile, multiuse path along Charlestown Road in New Albany.
When completed, the 10-foot wide path will be and open to pedestrians and cyclists from County Line Road to the entrance of Kevin Hammersmith Park.
“This has been a project for Floyd County that’s been a long time coming,” said Floyd County Parks Superintendent Matt Denison.
The $3 million Indiana Department of Transportation project is something Floyd County officials have been planning for the better part of a decade. The idea is to expand access to the park and surrounding commercial areas to runners, walkers and cyclists.
“I think there’s a lot of wonderful things about the project,” Denison said. “Hopefully people can kind of add to their mileage with their walk each day, whether they’re nearby or coming to the park for a walk, and it really extends out what you can do here.”
More than 1,500 homes in the area of Charlestown Road will now have direct access to the park and surrounding areas.
Many people who live in the area are excited about the easy access.
“It’s different if you’re putting a road through there, but if you’re putting a walking access or biking access, I think it’ll be worth it in the long run,” said Jeff Myers, who was at the park Friday.
“We need people out here walking and hiking and exercising,” added Tim Mohan, who believes the project will benefit the community.
Construction could cause some traffic headaches for drivers throughout the project. One lane on a section of Charlestown Road is currently closed as crews work on a bridge section of the path.
“The lane closure out there is kind of rough,” said Patrick Mullineaux, who lives nearby. “The traffic gets backed up, but nothing you can really do about it.”
Officials hope to finish the project by the end of fall.
