The Municipal Corporations Committee of the City-County Council met Wednesday and heard from IndyGo about the planned Purple Line. The line is the second of two more planned rapid transit lines for Indianapolis. The Red Line began service last year.
The Purple Line will connect Indianapolis with Lawrence on the east side, through 15 miles of dedicated transit lanes.
IndyGo President Inez Evans says the budget is estimated at $155 million, and 50 percent of that is for planned infrastructure improvements.
"Which are to the condition of the roadways, the pedestrian facilities and the drainage," says Evans. "And when we’re talking pedestrian facilities, we’re talking sidewalks … sidewalks that are desperately needed along that corridor."
The Purple Line is projected to reduce travel time by 25 percent. Evans says IndyGo is working to reach everyone possible.
"Our communications and outreach team will continue to improve the quality and dialogue and feedback that we receive from the community and the council of course," says Evans.
The first in a series of public meetings is planned for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Far Eastside Neighborhood Center.
Purple Line construction is anticipated to begin in early 2021.