COLUMBUS, Ind. — Taylor Road has reopened and the approximately $5 million project is finished, pending final checks.
According to City Engineer/Executive Director of Public Works Dave Hayward, the road opened Thursday afternoon, and the project is complete “pending a final inspection which may yield a few minor touch-ups.”
The affected area, Taylor Road from 25th Street to Rocky Ford Road, was previously expected to open the first week of August, but this was delayed by poor weather and subcontractor availability.
According to city officials, Taylor Road project improvements are intended to make the road significantly safer for drivers, bikers and pedestrians. These improvements include:
11-foot roadway lane, one lane in each direction
A side path on the west side
A sidewalk on the east side
New curb and gutter, pavement markings and signage
Mini roundabouts at 31st Street and Fairlawn Drive
When asked if he thinks people who have opposed the changes will come around over time, Hayward said, “We have done all we can to implement the design and make it safe and effective. We are pleased to turn the project over to the users (motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians).”
City officials have said in the past that federal funds will cover 80% of the Taylor Road project cost.
As of November 2021, Assistant City Engineer Andrew Beckort said the final construction amount for the north section of the project was a little under $2.03 million, and the south section’s cost was $2,921,000.
