City of Aurora Accepting Proposals for Bicycle, Pedestrian Master Plan

Monday, June 27, 2022 at 9:48 AM

A proposed trail would connect Aurora's downtown parks and Dearborn Trail network to the northside neighborhood.

Photo provided.

(Aurora, Ind.) – The City of Aurora is accepting proposals for a bicycle and pedestrian master plan.

Aurora is home to the Dearborn Trail, a roughly 5.5-mile asphalt path running along the Ohio River, connecting Greendale, Lawrenceburg, and Aurora.

In December of 2021, Aurora successfully applied for funding through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (Next Level Trails Grant) to construct the Northside Trail Connector.

The $1.3 million project will connect Aurora’s downtown parks and existing Dearborn Trail network with the Northside Neighborhood, Little League and PeeWee Football fields, City Pool, and Aurora Community Center (ARCC) by providing pedestrians a safe way to cross U.S. 50.

The primary goals of this project include:

1. Create an understanding of the true prevalence of walking and bicycling currently in the community and increase the number of bicyclists and walkers in the community.
2. Increase the amount of people walking and bicycling for everyday transportation purposes such as commuting to work, walking or bicycling to school and running errands.
3. Provide guidance and priorities for implementing programs, policies and infrastructure to support walking and bicycling with a broad range of funding and support.

According to City Manager Derek Walker, the city has received $20,000 in funding through the Indiana State Department of Health for the development of a bicycle and pedestrian master plan.

Proposals and statement of qualifications must be submitted by July 22.

The firm selected will be involved in completing an existing conditions analysis, meet with the advisory committee and the public, prepare the draft plan, develop the plan priorities, and adoption of the plan.

The city hopes to present the plan for adoption by May of 2023.

For more information, visit Microsoft Word - 2022-06-23 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan RFQ (aiircdn.com).