Next Phase of Range Line Road Transformation Will Extend Boulevard Design, Create New East-West Access into Midtown

Press Release: Feb. 18, 2021 Nancy Heck

Carmel, IN – The City of Carmel plans to begin the next phase of transforming Range Line Road from a five-lane roadway – between City Center Drive and Elm Street – into a beautiful, tree-lined boulevard. This Midtown portion of Range Line Road will provide a continued boulevard treatment featuring elements found further south, such as pedestrian-friendly crosswalks, bike-lanes and landscaped medians. It will also have a new roundabout at Walnut Street (6th Street SE), which will eventually continue west, creating an east-west connection from Range Line to Monon Boulevard and eventually 3rd Avenue SW.

Roadwork on Range Line Road should begin soon, weather permitting, and is expected to be substantially complete in time for the CarmelFest parade on July 4. This work will result in partial closures of Range Line Road, while maintaining northbound and southbound traffic until the full closure, anticipated to begin after April 5. The project will include restoring the gateway arch that marks the southern entrance to the Carmel Arts & Design District. That arch was removed a few years ago to make way for the Elm Street roundabout.

Here are some construction details that motorists should be aware of:

• A one-day, full closure of Range Line Road will occur on or after February 23, north of Elm Street for the concrete pouring of columns for the archway.
• A short closure of Range Line Road to last a few days in March to hoist the actual arch into place, exact dates to be determined.
• Full closure of Range Line Road will begin on or after April 5 and last about 60 days so that construction crews can build the new roundabout at Walnut Street.
• All businesses and restaurants will remain open during the construction and special signage will be used to direct customers to those locations. The City of Carmel urges all local residents and visitors to support our small businesses at all times, but especially during road construction season.
• For motorists traveling through the area, alternative routes include Main Street, Keystone Parkway, City Center Drive and 3rd Ave SW as well as Elm Street.