More Indianapolis streets to undergo 2-way conversions

Key streets in Downtown Indianapolis are undergoing two-way conversions.

The completed 2-way traffic change along Fort Wayne Avenue will slow traffic and add to a new transportation corridor.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said the change will also improve safety.

“We’ll return our city to a mindset that elevates pedestrian and driver safety well above speed,” Hogsett said.

The $6.6 million project creates new sidewalks and crosswalks.  It also feeds into new IndyGo super stops and a dedicated bus lane along Delaware Street.

The infrastructure change aims to make streets safer as downtown development becomes more dense. So far this year, the city has had an increased number of pedestrians and cyclists killed in crashes. According to Indianapolis police, 21 pedestrians had been fatally struck, as of Aug. 17 – up from 11 during the same time last year. 

City-County Councilor Zach Adamson said Indianapolis roadways were originally designed to move traffic in and out as quickly as possible.

“And as downtown has changed and evolved, the design scheme for our downtown in particular has got to evolve with it,” Adamson said.

Future projects to change streets to 2-way traffic include downtown portions of College Avenue and eastern segments of New York and Michigan streets. 

The city plans to invest more than $1 billion in infrastructure over the next five years.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.