INDIANAPOLIS—Central Indiana’s transportation future took a major step forward today with the announcement of Indy Connect: Central Indiana’s Transportation Initiative, a regional effort to gather public input on a draft transportation plan for Central Indiana. The announcement was made today at Union Station and was highlighted by the official hand-off of a year-long regional transportation study conducted by the Central Indiana Transit Task Force, a group of business leaders dedicated to identifying transportation solutions for Central Indiana residents.
The private sector’s study recommendations have been folded into a larger regional transportation plan – an initial draft of which is being presented to Central Indiana residents for review and comment. Public feedback and suggestions will be incorporated into a revised plan in late 2010 that will be presented to the public for further consideration.
The draft plan includes recommendations for more bus service, commuter and light rail, expanded roadways, pedestrian walkways and bike paths, and outlines how these modes of transportation could work together to connect people and places in Central Indiana. Specifically, the draft plan includes:
- Expanded bus service that could decrease wait time between buses, increase cross-city service, require fewer transfers and provide more and quicker service both within and beyond Marion County. This bus service would connect with other modes of transportation, including rail and pedestrian walkways and bikeways.
- An in-street, light rail train on or near Washington Street to travel west toward the airport and east to Cumberland with frequent stops in between.
- Ground-level commuter rail transit that could run from Indianapolis north to Fishers and south to Greenwood, with multiple station stops in Indianapolis and more frequent light rail service within the urban core.
- Expanded roadways and bike and pedestrian pathways that would connect to other methods of transportation like bus or train stops for optimum connectivity.
“An enhanced transit system is long overdue for Central Indiana. Our current transportation system has put us at a competitive disadvantage for attracting jobs, investment and talent, and has failed to meet the economic and social needs of our citizens,” said Mark Miles, president & CEO of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and one of the founders of the Central Indiana Transit Task Force. “The Central Indiana Transit Task Force developed a vision for the region through the lens of the business community, focusing on how a dynamic transit system could promote regional economic development and redevelopment, reduce transportation costs, improve the environment, and create a more connected, vibrant region.”
“We based our plan on thoughtful planning and a rigorous cost-benefit analysis - but we don’t think we have all the answers,” added Al Hubbard, Central Indiana Transit Task Force co-chair. “The best plan will come only after the residents of Central Indiana have had an opportunity to review the plan, provide suggestions and comments on what is most desirable for a connected region. That’s why we have handed the process of gathering public input over to Indy Connect.”
The Indy Connect initiative is a collaborative effort between three of the region’s public transportation and planning agencies – the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), IndyGo and Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA).
Indy Connect will facilitate community meetings throughout Central Indiana, at which time transportation experts will explain the draft regional plan and gather input and suggestions for improvement. Residents also will be able to learn more about the draft plan at www.indyconnect.org.
“Now is the time for our region to decide on its transportation future,” said Lori Miser, executive director of the Indianapolis MPO. “We want people to tell us what transportation options could change the way they live and get around Central Indiana – and the draft plan is a perfect launching point for this discussion.”
While the public is giving its input on routes, types of transportation, and other components of the initial draft plan, a public-private steering committee will be studying alternatives for how to best operate and fund a future system. Possible funding mechanisms and an operating structure will be merged with public input and incorporated into the revised draft plan.
For more information on Indy Connect, including a draft map outlining the various modes of transportation, their proposed routes and a list of upcoming public meetings, or to submit feedback on the draft plan, go to www.indyconnect.org.Marion Public Meeting
Marion - Center - Near East
February 16th, 2010
7:00 PM
Inglewood Christian Church
57 N Rural, Indianapolis, IN
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