Short-, long-term fixes for Albin Pond Road coming, mayor assures

Scarcely has there been a local news story about ongoing construction posted in the last six months that the frustration of those who live along or travel along Albin Pond Road haven’t been motivated to comment on Facebook or the Banner Graphic website.

Greencastle Mayor Lynda Dunbar addressed some of those concerns at the October City Council meeting, saying city officials “are very aware Albin Pond Road is a big mess right now.”

With the 40-years-overdue sanitary sewer project under way for Toddson and J-Mar drives off Albin Pond Road on the city’s northeast side, the situation likely won’t get better soon as the road is currently closed to through traffic.

“It’s time to really take a serious look at Albin Pond Road,” the mayor said, suggesting that the pavement will likely be milled next spring.

Both short-term and long-term fixes were addressed by Mayor Dunbar.

Long term, Albin Pond Road needs to be widened, sidewalks added and the slanted guardrails addressed for safety concerns, also stormwater issues, along a roadway that was built over an old railroad right of way.

Even a bike lane is a possibility as the mayor explores the future of the roadway with engineer Jeff Mahan of Align.

“When I was a kid riding my bike all over Greencastle, my parents wouldn’t let me ride on Albin Pond Road,” Dunbar said. “If I got caught doing it, I wasn’t going to have a bicycle anymore.”

Councilman Mark Hammer, who resides in the area, noted that the People Pathway runs the length of Albin Pond Road, wondering if the city would really need to worry about adding sidewalks and a bike lane with the pathway already in place.

In the short term, the mayor said attention could possibly begin at the Houck Road intersection, calling it “’one of the worst areas” of disrepair.

That work alone could take 15 months to implement, the mayor said, explaining that engineering, surveying, design and land acquisition will all precede construction, which would likely take six months.

She also warned that engineering “won’t be cheap,” hoping to involve the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to see if it can contribute to the Albin Pond Road endeavor.

The long-term repairs will be “very timely,” Dunbar said with the new sanitary sewers like finished by spring after Toddson is addressed first this fall, followed by J-Mar next spring.

“I wanted to bring everybody up to date on Albin Pond Road and the streets of Greencastle,” the mayor said in summary. “I want to stress we do know there are a lot of streets that are a problem in Greencastle. We’re aware Shadowlawn needs attention and Indianapolis Road as well.”

Dunbar said while repairs undoubtedly will be expensive, the city could apply for Community Crossings funds from the state annually to assist in the effort.

Turning her attention to the INDOT projects still ongoing through the heart of Greencastle with Washington Street still closed between Bloomington Street and the courthouse square, the news was somewhat better than usual.

One good thing to report, Dunbar said, is that the new sewer line is now running from Locust Street to Vine. She reported a “little bit of delay” there because construction crews “hit a lot of limestone” in putting in the new lines.

“Now, out here in front of City Hall …,” Dunbar continued, letting her voice drop off in disappointment.

She said she understood there was supposed to be a meeting between contractors, the state and Frontier Communications, which was supposed to have its lines moved out of the right of way last spring but has yet to comply with that action, making additional roadwork impossible.

“I’ve been told Frontier will not be holding up the project any more,” the mayor said, “trusting” that the section of roadway in question will be open by winter.

Dunbar also reported that she is to be part of a phone call this week to discuss “the good, the bad and the ugly in working with INDOT on this project”

Meanwhile, during the Council reports portion of the monthly meeting, Councilor Katherine Asbell said she has talked to a number of Franklin Street area residents in the aftermath of the temporary changes involving four-way stopsigns at College Avenue and Northwood Boulevard/Durham Street and no parking along Franklin Street during the current detour.

“They really like having the four-way stops,” Asbell said, “and would like to keep them even after the construction is done. They wanted to thank the Council for making it safe.”

Third Ward Councilor Tina Nicholson, meanwhile, said she “wanted to dote on the mayor,” noting that her constituents have praised long-needed work that has gotten done in the city.

“Many things had been put on the back burner in previous years,” Nicholson said, expressing the appreciation by Third Ward residents in things getting accomplished while at the same time noting, “it’s hard to get everything done in 10 months.”

Other issues dealt with at the October meeting will be included in a later article.

Mayor Dunbar and Councilors Asbell, Hammer and Nicholson were joined for the 70-minute meeting by David Masten, Vince Aguirre and Stacie Langdon. Councilman Darrel Thomas was absent. Also in attendance were Clerk-Treasurer Mikayla Johnson and City Attorney Laurie Hardwick.

The next meeting of the City Council is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 at City Hall.