04/20/2018

Noblesville officials have broken ground on its second phase of the Midland Trace Trail, a 12-foot-wide multi-use path that will connect Willowview Road east to Hazel Dell Road. The project continues to increase Noblesville’s trail availability and connectivity.

“This trail is especially important as it connects Noblesville directly with our neighbors. Through the Midland, residents can travel to Westfield and connect with the Monon Trail to Carmel and Indianapolis,” said Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear. “Our residents and guests are already enjoying phase I of the Midland Trace Trail, so we are excited to begin phase II a year ahead of schedule and continue the momentum of the trail.”

The Midland Trace Trail project follows along the abandoned “Midland” Central Railway corridor (approximately 0.2 miles south of State Road 32).  Phase II work began earlier this spring with tree clearing. Phase II is expected to open by mid-August. Construction of phase II and the land acquired are 80 percent funded by a federal aid grant obtained by the Noblesville Engineering Department, and 20 percent funded by the city.

Phase I extended Westfield’s portion of the Midland Trace across Gray Road to Union Street. Constructed and opened in 2017, phase I created a new family-friendly amenity near current and developing housing divisions, Hazel Dell Elementary School and the Field of Dreams baseball park. This portion of the Midland Trace Trail also provided a connection with the Little Chicago Road Trail.

Phase I also includes a trailhead on Hazel Dell Road, which will open next month. The amenity includes restrooms, water fountain, parking lot, benches, a bike repair and air station and Zagster Bike Share. Future plans for the Midland include a third phase that will extend the trail from Willowview Road to Hague Road and Metzger Lane in 2019. A fourth phase will connect with the potential Pleasant Street extension from Hague Road to cross Cicero Creek and the White River and beyond State Road 37.