Pike Residents Concerned About Construction Traffic

click on drawing to expand
(posted May 6)

Protecting Dandy Trail from heavy construction traffic was one of the top concerns expressed by Pike residents during the April 29 public meeting with Veolia Water. Veolia is conducting neighborhood meetings to apprise the community of its $31 million upgrade that begins this summer at the TW Moses plant on 56th Street .

City County Councilor Janice McHenry said "I think people in the neighborhood are saying we did get Dandy Trail repaved. We worked very hard and for a long time. I worked with the previous councilor on getting that project done." She said the residents are "proud of that fact" and did not want to see the street broken up again. She did not expect Dandy Trail to be repaved again for another 20 years.

Heavy equipment will be needed to haul dirt from the site to make room for constructing several new buildings and a holding tank. The residents also expressed concern about the heavy equipment using 56th Street during rush hours. The construction is scheduled from 7 am to 7 pm, and may include some Saturdays, depending the construction's time-line.

Some neighborhood residents expressed a certain amount of trepidation due to the high speed traffic on 56th Street, fearing being hit while waiting to make a left turn onto Dandy Trail. According to McHenry, it is highly unlikely the intersection will receive a traffic signal soon.

Veolia Vice-President of Communication and Community Affairs Lou Ann Baker said Veolia will have a website available to inform people about the construction progress and traffic flow in the neighborhood. "We've already talked to Bowen and the contractors about trying to limit the truck traffic during the morning rush hour."

The construction plans developed by Bowen Engineering are still pending Metropolitan Development Commission approval. Baker said variances are not needed for the new construction in the PK 2 zoning district, but it requires MDC review. The MDC will hear the issue on June 3. One building will be 40 feet high, but none of the new construction will exceed the height of the existing 65 foot water tower.

Jeff Miller, Veolia's project manager, said the improvements are necessary to comply with long-term enhancement surface treatment and disinfectant rules. The upgrades also include odor and compound removals.

The original plant, built in 1976, includes a five million gallon underground reservoir east of the plant. The plant serves customers north of 56th Street to Zionsville and east to Michigan Road, including St. Vincent Hospital.

Miller explained water will now go through ultraviolet treatment as part of the compliance with EPA regulations. An activated powder carbon process will also be used to remove odor. Neighbors reported that sometimes they can detect a musty smell around the plant.

Baker said the smell is weather related. The odor is attributed to drought conditions, causing an increase in the amount of pollutants.

Miller explained that Veolia will obtain a NPDES permit to discharge water into Eagle Creek reservoir. One of the benefits from the newer technology will allow the water to be discharged into the reservoir and not released into to the sanitary sewer system. "The plant upgrades will eliminate roughly 15.5 million gallons per year being discharged to the city sewers," Baker said.