INDIANAPOLIS -- Work on the much-anticipated IndyGo Red Line project is in full swing.
Right now, the project is running a little behind schedule with all of the rain we got at the tail end of summer, however, IndyGo is working extra hard to get back on track.
“We are value-engineering throughout the project scope so that we can make up some of that time,” said Lauren Day, the Director of Public Relations for IndyGo. "We're making sure that wherever we can get work done before the winter that we're doing that."
Utility work, drainage improvements, and sidewalk and curb repairs along Meridian Street have been underway since the beginning of August, and as of last week, work is happening on one major facet of the project: bus stations.
"This first one here, at Shelby [Street] and Troy [Avenue], they're doing the cement base and then they're going to move to Raymond [Street], and then they'll move to Pleasant Run [Parkway] and once they get those bases in, they can work on the above-ground structure throughout the winter,” Day said.
Once all is up and running, there will be 28 of these stations along the Red Line's 13-mile corridor.
Day also explained how they will be situated on the route, as well as the timeline of this construction phase:
“This step takes about two weeks and then they can do the pad above ground," she said. "And then, they are going to work west. On the west side of the street are the southbound stations. And then they’ll move, once they get up to Pleasant Run, and then do the northbound stations.”
Day said these stations are easier to use than your typical bus station.
“The Red Line stations are level-boarding," Day said. "So, this speeds up the process of moving the bus from station to stations. So, it becomes more competitive with driving time. It's also a lot easier to go on if you have a stroller and wheelchair because the bus lines up directly with the station, so everyone gets on and off at the same time."
Though getting around might be a hassle right now, it’s important to look at the big picture.
"It's certainly a short-term negative for a longer-term benefit,” Day said.
Cement is expected to be poured into the Shelby Street/Troy Avenue station on Friday morning (50 yards of cement!).
The hope is for the Red Line to be up and running before the end of 2019.
