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Area Infrastructure Projects
Area Infrastructure Projects
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Fountain Square Drainage Project
Project Description: Project to relieve flooding concerns around the intersections of Virginia Avenue, Prospect Street, Shelby Street and Morris Street. The project includes a new separate trunk line for storm sewer extending along Shelby Street from Pleasant Run Creek to the south to Woodlawn Avenue to the north. The storm sewer will be sized to accommodate future connections from adjacent areas that are currently served by a combined sewer system.
The project will also provide surface improvements to Shelby street and nearby streets. The bike lane will be fully protected with a rain garden separating vehicle traffic with bike traffic.
Project Timeline: Timeline: Phase one: Quarter 1, 2026 - Quarter 4, 2026 Phase two: Quarter 1, 2032 - Quarter 4, 2032
Editorial: Phase 2 of the timeline refers to work that will extend the storm sewer network further on Prospect St., Woodlawn St., and Shelby St. north. This project does present major disruptions to Fountain Square, particularly business and residents who live along Shelby St., and the project will remove 11 on-street parking spots. According to DPW, a parking study was conducted and it was found that the 11 spots were not needed when accounting for the surface lots immediately surrounding. Also according to DPW, a "maintenance of business” plan was developed to assist local business during construction to route deliveries and patrons to their doors. We have not seen this plan, if you find navigating Fountain Square to be particularly difficult, we would like to hear it.
INDOT I-65 Safety & Efficiency (S&E)
Project Description: I-65 Safety and Efficiency is an Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) project to improve traffic flow and safety along I-65 on the southeast side of Indianapolis. Construction began in spring 2025 and is expected to last about two years. Two lanes of I-65 will remain open in each direction the majority of the time during construction.
Project Timeline: Construction start: 2025 Final completion: 2027
Editorial: This project–coming on the heels of the North Split project–reurbishes and adds travel lanes to I-65, from Fletcher Ave. to I-465. Debate remains on the need for added lanes on I-65, but they are not expanding the footprint of the interstate. Additionally, INDOT is providing for much wider sidewalks on the Prospect/Morris Streets bridge over the interstate. They will also include safety improvements to that bridge.
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Current Detour Map:
Blue Line
Project Description: This project will add the third BRT route Indianapolis. The alignment runs mostly along Washington St. with a short trip along I-70 to get to Indianapolis International Airport. Construction will be major over the entire length of Washington St. including storm sewer reconstruction, additional sidewalks, and new pavement. 30 stations are included in the final design, the closest of which will be at Southeastern and Washington. Transfers to the Blue Line can be accommodated at the transit center via the Red Line once Blue Line is complete.
Project Timeline: You can expect construction impacts between 2025 and 2028. Due to the size of the project, the work will take place in phases spread out across 12 construction areas along the Blue Line corridor to minimize the impact to any one area.
Editorial: While the project does not directly impact Fountain Square, it is large enough and impactful enough we thought it’s worth mentioning. The closure of College Ave. Washington should be complete and should remain mostly open or the remaining portion of construction. However, Southeastern at Washington will close in 2027 and a detour will be necessary. The construction of the Blue Line is not anticipated to negatively affect the Red Line.
Pending
INDOT Fletcher Ave and Virginia Ave Bridge Deck Replacements
Project Description: The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is replacing the concrete decks on both the Virginia Avenue and Fletcher Avenue bridges over I-65/I-70 in downtown Indianapolis. Improvements include repairing aging concrete, installing new sidewalks and railings, and extending the life of each bridge for years to come. Both bridges span I-65 and I-70 near the southeast side of downtown Indianapolis. The Virginia Avenue bridge is located just north of the I-65/I-70 interchange, and the Fletcher Avenue bridge is a few blocks further north. Construction is expected to begin in early 2027 and last up to two years. The bridges are expected to close one at a time during construction, with signed detours for vehicles and pedestrians. Drivers on I-65 and I-70 can expect occasional, weekend lane closures or traffic shifts beneath the bridges during this time. Nearby businesses, parks, and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail will remain accessible throughout construction. A short segment of the Trail will be temporarily closed with a pedestrian detour provided at all times.
Project Timeline: 2027
Editorial: These two bridge deck replacements have no relation to any other current INDOT projects: North Split, I-65 Safety & Efficiency, ProPEL, or ReThink 65/70. These are independent. To the best of our knowledge (according to the links posted on their website) both bridges will be reconstructed in-kind, meaning they will look the same when construction is finished. A local organization is advocating for the Fletcher Ave. bridge to look different, be safer and easier for bikes and pedestrians to cross. You can see what they are advocating for and support their message from their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asaferfletcher/. In November 2025, FSNA membership voted to support A Safer Fletcher and write a Letter of Support for their advocacy.
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Project area or Renderings:
ReThink 65/70
ReThink’s Mission: “Our mission is to create a restorative and transformative vision for Central Indiana in connection with the necessary reconstruction of the aging I-65/I-70 Interstate Inner Loop that encircles downtown Indianapolis.
We advocate for recessing the Inner Loop and seek to educate, advise, and collaborate with leaders, stakeholders, and residents to understand how a recessed interstate can improve Indiana’s long-term economic viability and help ensure Central Indiana is positioned as a world-class region with a vibrant urban core for the next 50 years and beyond.”
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