Construction on the levee along Westfield Boulevard in Broad Ripple continues, with the latest updates requiring some road closures and what some believe to be unnecessary destruction of nature.

Beginning on May 29, 2007, Westfield Blvd. has been partially closed to traffic in order to install a large diameter subsurface drain line on one side of the levee floodwall. This drain line will intercept any groundwater that may seep under the flood protection berm during a flooding event on the river, according to John Oakley.

The ongoing project has, of course, raised some concerns among residents regarding traffic flow, noise, and concerns for our natural resources. One such resident, Dan Mitchell, has taken notice of the large number of trees that have been cut down since the project began. However, in response to these concerns, John Oakley has replied that the majority of compromised vegetation was honeysuckle and scrub brush growth.

"Trees initially removed for the levee rehabilitation were those in the alignment of the flood wall and adjacent contractor work area needed for construction. Due to post-Hurricane Katrina requirements, after September 15th, additional trees will be removed between the floodwall and the river for varying distances. This will reduce the potential for root destabilization and undermining of the flood works. It should be noted that even with the additional clearing, the overall number of trees that will be removed is still less than what is standard practice for flood control levees," Oakley responded in an email.

In addition, he contests that mitigation for the trees removed during this project is in the forecast, so all of the vegetation removed, in essence, will be 're-planted'. "Since Federal construction criteria and proper operation and maintenance of flood control levees do not allow trees to be replanted along the levee, re-planting will be performed at a designated site along White River. The mitigation site is located at Lake Sullivan, at the confluence of Crooked Creek and White River. The mitigation is expected to consist of planting trees along with aquatic vegetation around and in the lake."

For now, and for the next month, roadblocks will further congest the already-busy streets of Broad Ripple. A map of the scheduled road closures shows traffic being diverted from Westfield Blvd. between 65th Street and Reserve Drive. Westfield Blvd. at 75th Street will be open to local traffic only. Detour signs and barricades will be posted within the 5-block radius of the project area.

The project has no scheduled closures for the Monon Trail. However, construction crews and traffic are nearby, so be aware of extra traffic and possibly some extra obstacles.

The Westfield Blvd. closure is expected to reopen in a month, but closure and re-opening dates are subject to weather conditions and site conditions.