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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Blue Line, a planned IndyGo bus rapid transit line, has been awarded a $149.9 million grant from the Department of Transportation to help fund its construction, the federal department announced Tuesday morning.
Combined with a $22 million federal grant announced earlier this year, federal dollars are now confirmed to fund nearly 43% of the projected $400 million project.
Infrastructure development of the Blue Line has been ongoing, and construction is expected to start early this year. IndyGo estimates the 24-mile route, which runs east-west through the center of Indianapolis, to be open for service in 2028.
The 30-station project will join the city’s two other rapid bus lines, the Red and the Purple Lines. Plans call for 60 electric buses use 12 miles of dedicated bus-only lanes along the Blue Line route.
The Blue Line’s path is expected to offer service to some of the city’s top trip generators, including downtown Indianapolis, the State Capitol, Indianapolis International Airport and the Indianapolis Zoo. The line will stop at three high schools and several planned redevelopment areas.
The project’s designated bus lanes in a congested part of the city made its future a hotly debated topic at the Indiana Statehouse last legislative session. A bill seeking a one-year moratorium on dedicated lanes for mass-transit projects failed after state and IndyGo leaders made a compromise to alter the project. IndyGo leaders said at the time the bill would have killed the project and its potential to receive federal funding.
The DOT’s Federal Transit Administration administered the grant through its Capital Investment Grants Program, which was created to support transformational projects specifically in rail, streetcars and bus rapid transit. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recommended the project for a $142 million grant in March.
“With enhanced reliability, greater frequency, and comfort, this expansion guarantees that every resident and visitor has access to vital hubs in Indianapolis, which is particularly gratifying to see in my home state,” Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, said in written remarks. “The Biden-Harris Administration is enhancing the way people travel in the country’s heartland by connecting riders to the airport, students to education, and Indy residents to new opportunities while supporting economic vitality and regional growth.”
In June, IndyGo received $22 million in federal funding to make safety and infrastructure improvements along the bus line’s planned route, especially along a 4.7-mile stretch of East Washington Street between Highland and Edmondson Avenues. IndyGo received funding for a second year from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity discretionary grant program.
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Great news!
Federal money to fix Indianapolis infrastructure. Maybe Indianapolis should do a few more bus lines.
Progress finally. Painfully slow…but progress nonetheless.
I live about a ten-minute walk from a future Blue Line station and I can’t wait. That direct, much faster ride to Downtown and the Airport will rock.
Sorry to interrupt your narrative with facts, but taking a bus to the airport is not “direct” and certainly not “faster”. You are a 10 minute walk from the proposed station, which means you need to leave the house 15-20 minutes early to catch the bus. On this 10 minute walk you are pulling your carryon or checked bags behind you. No weather concerns because it is always 70 and sunny…. Once on the bus it is hardly direct. There would be multiple stops. Depending on where you live it would be a 30-45 minute trip
If you live on the eastern leg of the proposed line, you can be to the airport in 20 minutes. On the western leg it would be 10
If you want to spin this as greener or greater good, or whatever, fine, but don’t say it is faster and direct
Despite what you’re saying Chuck, it is in fact quick and direct compared to current transit options. Do you work for Freeman lol?
Check your privilege, Chuck
Chuck don’t you realize you can’t have a different opinion from Wesley or Michael or you’re considered privileged and a racist.
If the shoe fits, Rhea
As fast as driving no. But it would less costly unless free parking is now available at the airport. And, yes, the route is direct and with stops between Cumberland and Holt Road: Washington Street to Hold Road to I-70 then express to the airport. Those using other routes can transfer to the Blue line downtown or at the first intersection point.