City Seeks Feedback on Monon Trail Overpass

Indianapolis is weighing three overpass designs for pedestrians and cyclists crossing busy 86th Street on the Monon Trail.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Hiking

Photograph of a wide road with fresh excavation and a new concrete median where a trail's fencing ends at the roadside. — Indianapolis officials are seeking public feedback on three designs for a pedestrian and cyclist overpass at busy 86th Street on the Monon Trail. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Indianapolis Department of Public Works is seeking public feedback on three possible designs for a pedestrian and cyclist overpass at 86th Street on the Monon Trail. The city is running an online survey of trail users and nearby residents, and road work preparing for the overpass has already begun.

Why it matters

Trail users currently cross 86th Street, one of the busiest intersections on the Monon Trail's northeast side, without a grade-separated crossing. The overpass is intended to reduce conflicts among drivers, cyclists and pedestrians at the site.

The city is considering three overpass designs, with construction expected to begin in late 2029 or early 2030. Which design will be selected and how the project will be funded has not been determined.

The players

Indianapolis Department of Public Works

The city agency responsible for public infrastructure in Indianapolis, including roads and trail crossings, and the body running the survey and open house.

The details

Trail dead-ends at fences on both sides of 86th Street, leaving users without a safe crossing. Road work including excavation and an extended new median on 86th Street has already started ahead of the overpass.

October: Road work began on 86th Street, drawing mixed reaction from residents.
Dec. 3: Public open house from 5-6:30 p.m. at Denny Barrett Fieldhouse, 8701 N. College Ave.
Late 2029 or early 2030: Projected start of overpass construction.

Trail Corridor

The overpass would extend the Monon Trail's continuous path by replacing a street-level gap at 86th Street, where trail users currently have no grade-separated crossing. It addresses a specific pedestrian and cyclist gap on one of the trail's busiest northeast-side intersections.

Trail users crossing 86th Street will eventually gain a grade-separated route, but drivers face excavation and a new median during road work. Residents who use the Monon Trail can weigh in through the city's online survey or the December 3 open house before a design is chosen.

The takeaway

Trail users who rely on the Monon Trail should watch for the city's final design decision, and can share input through the survey or the December open house before construction timelines take shape.