INDIANAPOLIS — The Rethink 65/70 Coalition launched a grassroots campaign recently, urging the City of Indianapolis and the State of Indiana to partner with them to rethink the current plan to tear down and rebuild I-65/I-70 through downtown Indianapolis. The coalition, made up of residents, businesses, urban planners and architects, believe the funds allocated to the interstate tear-down should be invested in a way that moves Indiana’s Capital City to the ranks of Great American Cities.
INDOT plans to tear-down and rebuild its 50-year-old infrastructure and widen the freeways that cut through the north, east and, ultimately, the south sides of downtown. Rebuilding a 50-year old configuration is not forward-thinking. INDOT’s initial phase will cost between $250-300 million, but its overall plan will likely triple that cost when all phases are completed.
INDOT is on track to seek accelerated proposals for the first phase of the overall project, the north split of I-65/I-70, in early 2019. The impact on downtown caused by the project threatens to damage the quality of life in some of the city’s historic and underserved neighborhoods by creating a larger barrier between downtown and these areas.
The goal of the coalition is to leverage this very large investment into a new paradigm for transportation infrastructure that facilitates a vibrant community and region. For more information, visit rethink65-70.org/ or search for their Facebook page.