INDIANAPOLIS — Construction on the Nickel Plate Trail heading south through Marion County is closing E. 65th Street to through traffic for the next two weeks.
The extension of the Nickel Plate from Hamilton County to the Monon Trail on the north side of Indy broke ground in 2023. Some parts along the former rail line already have smooth asphalt, others are still gravel.
That’s the situation with the trail on either side of 65th Street. Parts of the original railroad track are also still across the road. Crews will work on that over the next few weeks.
Despite the trail being a work in progress, people nearby are already enjoying it.
”I try and go at least for half an hour to an hour every day on lunch,” said Muhamed Selimovic. He works near the trail and has started going on daily walks.
“Even getting up for half an hour, getting the movement, that blood flow, heartbeat going, is just really good for my health,” Selimovis said. “I’ve noticed in the last couple months I’ve been doing it I just feel better overall.”
He’s excited to see the trail when it’s fully completed in the middle of 2025.
”It’s a beautiful area, as well, for folks who walk the trail or not,” he said. “It’s shaded, lots of trees, lots of greenery.”
While 65th Street is closed to through traffic, drivers will be diverted onto 62nd Street to the south from Binford Boulevard or Allisonville Road.
Bryan Johnson can see the closures from his business on 65th Street. He owns Great Fermentations, a beer and wine-making supply store. He expects the construction to disrupt how their customers get to them but adds it’s something they’re used to.
”I’m sure it will but how is it any different than everything we’ve been dealing with this last summer with everything being closed,” Johnson said.
He is excited to have more people moving through the area once construction is complete.
”As a retail business, more traffic is better,” Johnson said.
The Nickel Plate Trail broke ground in 2023. The nearly $15 million investment is creating nine miles of trail extending the Nickel Plate Trail from Hamilton County. Once finished, it will create a 40-mile loop between the Nickel Plate, Monon and Midland Trace Trail.
Selimovic sees it as a big addition to the community.
”I’ve already run into some folks that I don’t know walking up and down the trail and it’s the casual, ‘Hey, how’s it going, how are you doing?'” Selimovic said. “It’s that little bit of interaction. It’s nice to see.”
The new nickel plate trail is expected to open in the middle of 2025.
