INDIANAPOLIS — IndyGo's blue line is moving full speed ahead after costs of the project were put on hold.
IndyGo says speed, efficiency, and pedestrian safety are top of mind with the project.
The Blue line will connect Cumberland to Indianapolis International Airport.
IndyGo halted the project last year citing inflation and cost of business.
The project had an initial price tag of $220 million, that shot up to over $500 million.
"We've just had to get those cost under control," Indygo spokesperson Carrie Black said.
Black says they cut costs for the project. They say it's now $370 million to $390 million.
IndyGo was able to cut costs in a few ways.
Hybrid bus instead of electric
The blue line was originally supposed to be a fully electric bus, just like the Red line and Purple line use.
IndyGo said they had to change to a hybrid bus to cut costs of the project.
"It's going to be so much cheaper because we're not going to need to build the charging infrastructure that you need for a full battery electric bus," Black said.
Drainage costs cut
IndyGo was able to cut costs by forming a new plan with their partners to help pay for the drainage upgrades needed along Washington street.
"We were able to work with our partners, Indianapolis DPW and Citizens energy to be able to reconfigure that and take advantages of things already in place and lower those costs tremendously," Black said.
The blue line plan will repave several parts of Washington street. This include sidewalks, and ADA complaint ramps.
Holt Rd. to I-70
IndyGo's original plan called for the Blue line to take Washington Street from Cumberland to the airport.
They revised that plan last year to have the blue line divert to I-70 just past Holt Road.
The project has received mixed opinions, some have questioned if the project is even needed.
"What's the point they already have the 8 that runs up and down," an Indianapolis resident said.
The route 8 IndyGo bus already travels from Cumberland to the airport.
"Route 8 is already one of our busiest routes, this is going to replace it with more frequent travel," Black said. "It's going to run sort of in a rail like way. There will be dedicated bus lanes, they will not have to stop at all of the stop lights, they will not be in regular traffic."
Indygo says the design phase of the project will wrap up by November, from there they will secure funding. Construction is expected to start in 2025.
"That would be another excuse to spend more of the city's money," Indianapolis resident Shawn King said.
Black said voters approved the rapid bus transit in a referendum back in 2016.
The money for the project will come from federal funding and local funding (IndyGo,DPW, and Citizens).
The goal is to have the blue line completed by 2027.
Indygo will be holding public meetings about the project starting Tuesday night.
Visit their website for more information.
