The reconstruction of Indiana Avenue, from Marr Road to State Street on Columbus’ east side, is nearly complete.
To mark the occasion, Mayor Kristen Brown held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday afternoon to mark what she called “the city’s first substantial infrastructure improvement to the east side of Columbus since East Columbus was annexed nearly sixty years ago.” The ceremony took place at Indiana Avenue and Brooks Street and included representatives from the contracting firm that did the work, the city’s engineering department, Councilman Dascal Bunch and area residents.
Mayor Brown says that the $6.2 million project includes eleven-foot driving lanes, a new storm sewer system, curbs and gutters, five-foot sidewalks and bicycle lanes, as well as seven-foot-wide parking lanes on both sides of the street. She added that the work in this area is not quite complete, as crews are set to return in the spring to place thermoplastic pavement markings, trees and other elements to beautify the area.
Mayor Brown and Councilman Bunch thanked everyone involved in the project. They heaped additional praise on area residents who had to live with work being done right outside of their homes for two years.
The Mayor noted that Indiana Avenue is a major route for students to get to school and added that these improvements will make it safer for them and will continue to pay dividends in the community. Bunch noted that this project was a long time coming. He said the project faced obstacles for years, including opposition from some in local government. Bunch went on to say that it was a good day and that this project marks a new focus on Columbus’ east side.