INDIANAPOLIS — A bill that would ban dedicated lanes for the IndyGo Blue Line project is one step closer to becoming law, but the author of the bill made changes.
The changes would allow Indianapolis to keep the new 'No turn on red' signs posted across the city.
Banning the use of dedicated lanes for the Blue Line has been the talk of the city this last week.
Senate Bill 52 passed on second reading in the senate on Thursday. It's something that IndyGo has said would kill the Blue Line project.
People who live on the near east side say this is something their community wants.
"We still have a lot of people who take the bus and we have a lot of folks who are moving in to our residence that don't even have cars,” Clif Marsiglio, with the Near East Side Community Organization, said.
Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) has also targeted the Indianapolis City County Council's decision to add several more 'No turn on red' signs. An amendment to his bill comes to a compromise with the city.
"We are going to study this issue. No further signs will be put up until at least July 1, 2025, to allow a study to be done,” Sen. Freeman said.
If the bill passes out of the Senate, it heads to the House.
Speaker of the House Todd Huston avoided a direct answer on if the legislation will have support in the House or not.
"Let's take a pause on the dedicated lanes discussion. Let's just get to a comprehensive discussion on road funding and go from there,” Huston said.
Democrats in both chambers say the state should let the city of Indianapolis govern itself.
"We need a robust public transportation system in our state, so anything that we are doing to stop that from happening is a bad thing and will stop our state from growing,” State Rep. Phil GiaQuinta said.
"He doesn't represent those people, he does not represent Irvington,” State Sen. Greg Taylor, Democratic Minority Leader, said.
A sentiment some Indianapolis residents agree with.
"We support home rule here in Indianapolis,” Marsiglio said.
President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, Rodrick Bray, says the Indiana General Assembly should have a say on how the project moves forward.
"We obviously gave initial authority to do this so we certainly have a say in it as well,” Bray said. "The Near East Side Community Organization is hosting support local business and the Blue Line events at Futuro pizza moving forward."
SB 52 will be on its third reading Monday and is expected to pass out of the Senate. It will then head to the House.
