INDIANAPOLIS — Less than three years after project completion, IndyGo says they are ripping up existing pavement at Red Line stations and doing it all over.
It's all part of the "Red Line Enhancement Project" which IndyGo said will cost them $5.1 million.
IndyGo says the upgrades will give additional long-term stability and protect the investment made.
IndyGo blames wear and tear on the weight of the 60-foot electric buses running repeatedly over the same routes seven days a week.
"You'd think they would get their homework done before doing the job," Diedre Eltzroth said.
Eltzroth works downtown and says the construction of capital has been a big inconvenience.
"It'd be nice to see a finished product that lasts and serves the people of Indy," Eltzroth said.
A spokeswoman for IndyGo said, "DPW and IndyGo agreed on an acceptable thickness that at the time was expected to meet our needs."
"There was a consensus between IndyGo and DPW when the Red Line was designed and built that the concrete work conducted around the pads and dedicated bus lanes was sufficient. We are learning more about how our city’s aging infrastructure reacts under the weight of the buses running repeatedly over the same lanes.”
The latest closure is the Red Line station along Meridian street at Fall Creek Parkway.
The closure is expected to last about three weeks and it will impact north and southbound traffic.
It is frustrating for folks who live in the area.
"As you can probably hear right now it's been a huge headache," said Xavier Madina. "Pulling up the road. Just kind of like having an old house and pulling up old carpet that shouldn't have been there in the first place."
Every Red Line bus stop on Capital Avenue will be improved and temporary bus stops have been created.
The project will include the addition of rub rails at the Red Line stations, improvements IndyGo says they have learned from the construction of the purple line.
The enhancements are being paid for by IndyGo through their general maintenance budget.
A budget that is approved by the city council.
Crews are breaking up the concrete to repair damaged pavement on bus lanes and station bus pads.
DPW says they recommended a thicker depth of asphalt pavement along the various streets than the design IndyGo ended up building. But in the end, they both came to an agreement on the depth at the time.
"I mean it's just always something. So this seems like something that could have been avoided which is unfortunate," Melissa Towbridge an Indianapolis resident said.
More on the Red Line enhancement project, here.
-
New development highlights revitalization of Westfield's downtown
Westfield is taking its first major step toward revitalizing its downtown with a mixed-use development designed to bring new energy, businesses and residents to the city’s core.
Nutrition Secure Indy launches to support west side families, neighborhoods
Indianapolis families struggling with food insecurity will soon have new support through a year-long initiative designed to improve access to nutritious food and measure the difference it can make.
Fever overcomes Caitlin Clark's absence and 3 season-ending injuries
The Indiana Fever have overcome a barrage of critical injuries to stay in the WNBA playoff hunt. With nine regular season games remaining, the resilient Fever are somehow still in playoff position.
Arrest warrant issued for bouncer accused of stomping on man's head
Police issued an arrest warrant for a bouncer who allegedly stomped on a man's head outside That Place Bar on South Emerson Ave. The victim remains in critical condition.
