Keaton PetersA new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line is coming to Indianapolis. The city will utilize a $149.9 million federal grant to build out the major expansion of its public transportation system. The funds provided through the Federal Transit Administration will help construct the 24-mile Blue Line, featuring dedicated bus lanes and enhanced stations to serve one of Marion County’s busiest travel corridors.
The grant comes through the FTA’s Capital Investment Grants program and will cover approximately 38% of the estimated $396 million total project cost. Local tax dollars will fund the rest. The Blue Line represents Indianapolis’ latest push to modernize its transit infrastructure, following earlier BRT investments like the Red Line and Purple Line.
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Cities across the country are working to reduce traffic congestion and provide more sustainable transportation options. Indianapolis’ Blue Line showcases how medium-sized cities build modern transit systems that serve an array of community needs – from airport travelers to daily commuters.
The project’s scope includes 12 miles of dedicated bus lanes through Indianapolis’ urban core, designed to significantly improve travel times along the east-west corridor. The route will connect major destinations including downtown Indianapolis, the State Capitol, Indianapolis International Airport and the Indianapolis Zoo. The line will also serve three high schools and several neighborhoods slated for future redevelopment projects.
The corridor currently supports approximately 150,000 jobs and serves over 28 million annual visitors who come for conventions, sporting events and other attractions. Major venues within walking distance of the planned route include the Convention Center and sports facilities that are the homes of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts and the NBA’s Indiana Pacers.
The FTA estimates the Blue Line will reduce transit travel times in the corridor by up to 30%. Once it is built, the project is set to include 30 stations spaced along the route, with more than 45,000 residents living within walking distance of a stop. The bus line is planned to run for 20 hours per day.
The corridor will also receive infrastructure upgrades to get ready for the addition of BRT, including new traffic signals, resurfaced lanes, sidewalk improvements, curb ramps, bike stations and improved crosswalks. The local transit agency IndyGo plans to operate the line using 60-foot hybrid buses, which will help reduce emissions compared to conventional diesel vehicles.
The construction of BRT may also yield significant safety improvements. Recent research from the University of New Mexico analyzing Albuquerque’s BRT corridor found a 65% reduction in serious injuries and fatalities after installation, with the infrastructure itself helping to reduce excessive speeding even before buses began operating.
Photo courtesy Gh9449, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
