Construction project set to begin in Clarksville near Ohio River

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A construction project along the Ohio River in southern Indiana will cause some changes for runners, walkers and bicyclists for the next few months.

A meeting was scheduled for Monday, Jan. 8, in the lobby of the Bolt + Tie Apartments next to the construction area. Project leaders gave a short presentation on the project, then residents asked questions about the work.

Riverside Drive Clarksville project rendering 12-11-23 — An 11-month, $7 million renovation on Riverside Drive in Clarksville, Indiana, will add new sidewalks, bike paths, crosswalks, street parking, and lighting near Ashland Park along the Ohio River in southern Indiana. (Town of Clarksville photo/Dec. 11, 2023)

Town officials said the 11-month, $7 million reconstruction project announced in December is set to begin this month.

"The construction that is happening downtown is really an exciting moment for all of us especially a tenant that has been here for over a decade as a lot of new businesses and apartments have moved to the property," said Rachel Smallwood, owner of Orange Clover in Clarksville.

RIVERSIDE DR - Rachel Smallwood — Rachel Smallwood works at Orange Clover in Clarksville, Indiana.

The latest project is a new $7 million street project on Riverside Drive from West Market Street leading to Ashland Park. It starts in two weeks.

The project will crate new sidewalks, additional lighting, crosswalks and street parking intended to keep the area safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Some of the walking and riding paths currently stop at the street, which forces bicyclists to share a two-lane road with vehicles.

"A lot of folks think this has something to do with all the development going down in south Clarksville but this was happening well before that," said Ken Conklin, Town of Clarksville spokesperson.

The area is a prime location to watch Thunder Over Louisville in April. While the street construction will be happening around that time, crowds will not be drastically affected and parking will remain the same.

"Traditionally the streets will be closed down and you would have the whole street to get from one side to the other," said Conklin. "Now it is going to be more of just a pedestrian walkway about eight feet wide from folks to get from side to side and through the construction zone."

Another project that is still underway is the floodwall opening that will eventually connect Riverside Drive to Main Street. It's expected to be completed this fall.

"When we first announced this there was a lot of confusion," Conklin said. "There were a lot of people worried they wouldn't be able to go to their favorite Thunder spot but it is really not going to be as inconvenient as folks think."

For the Riverside Drive project, the Indiana Department of Transportation provided 80% of the funding for the project, with the Town of Clarksville's Redevelopment Commission covering the remaining 20%.

The project is estimated to be finished in November 2024. During construction, Riverside Drive will close to vehicle traffic. People will still be able to walk and bike through the construction zone to get to Ashland Park and the Ohio River Greenway.

Those who can't attend the meeting in person can watch a recording that will be posted on the Town of Clarksville website following the meeting.

"Everything around here as far as redevelopment goes, especially with everything that has happened over the last decade has just to increase property value, to make improvements for the city so I am really excited to be part of it moving forward," Rachel said.

To read more about the floodwall project, click here.

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