IndyGo Completes Blue Line BRT Project Design

IndyGo’s Blue Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project has reached 100% design completion after a thorough planning and design process, as well as careful consideration of community feedback and stakeholder guidance.

IndyGo is making significant investments in the community as part of the project.

IndyGo’s Blue Line BRT System

The Blue Line will serve as a massive infrastructure improvement project, addressing the condition of the roadways, traffic safety, pedestrian facilities, and stormwater drainage.

Planned improvements from the final design include:

• 9.7 miles of new or replaced sidewalks.
• 30 station platforms with station amenities, including covered waiting areas, level boarding, ticket vending machines, real-time arrival signs, security cameras, and snow melt.
• 2.3 miles of new or refreshed crosswalks.
• 359 new or upgraded ADA curb ramps.
• 46.5 lane miles of roadway resurfacing.
• 7.5 miles of separated storm sewer drainage.
• 63 new or upgraded traffic signals.

Road to Building the Blue Line

IndyGo anticipates contractors will begin bidding on the project in early fall, with construction beginning early 2025 and an anticipated opening in 2027-28.

"Reaching the Blue Line’s 100% design is a huge success," said IndyGo President/CEO Jennifer Pyrz. "We've worked diligently these past few years to adapt and ensure this project will benefit everyone traveling along the corridor, whether you're a rider, driver or pedestrian. Now, we can enter a new phase where we begin constructing stronger bus service between the airport, downtown and our historic East Washington Street neighborhoods, while improving safety for all."

Designed specifically to make commuting convenient for passengers — with fast, frequent, and more reliable service — the Blue Line is poised to provide better access to work, education, healthcare, restaurants, entertainment and shopping for residents and visitors alike.

It will offer an equitable alternative to driving for people of all ages and will serve as a cornerstone of transportation options for Indianapolis and central Indiana by providing high quality transit service.

Benefits to the Community

More than 45,000 people and 114,000 jobs will be accessible within a short walk of its stations, and it is anticipated to reduce transit travel time by up to 35%.

Not only that, but it's also set to bring substantial positive change with nearly $400 million in planned economic development along its path.

The Blue Line will serve as the third of IndyGo’s three planned BRT lines. The 24-mile project will largely replace one of IndyGo’s highest ridership routes, Route 8, along Washington Street between Cumberland and the Indianapolis International Airport.