As part of the city’s Complete Streets initiative, the Department of Public Works will soon embark on a $47-million project to reduce traffic lanes on Madison Avenue immediately south of Downtown, directly affecting both the Bates-Hendricks and Old Southside neighborhoods.
Known as the Madison Avenue Road Diet, the initiative will remove two vehicular travel lanes, repave over 16 miles of street, and bring over 15,000 linear feet of new curbs and sidewalks along the corridor between Pleasant Run Parkway and Ray Street. The project will also introduce the 7,200-foot Interurban Trail to expand connectivity to Indy’s southside, with plans of extending this trail at a later date.
The project aims to improve road safety for all users by introducing traffic-calming measures along the corridor. This road diet is one of dozens of investments totaling $305 million in safety-related projects scheduled over the next five years as introduced in the proposed capital plan alongside the annual operating budget.
Also included is the creation of a “Vision Zero” administrator who will assist the department to continue bringing safer transportation infrastructure for all road users. They will also coordinate across other city agencies and departments, stakeholders and the public to provide a safer experience for all, a DPW spokesman said.
“The Madison Ave Road Diet represents a positive change in our community, offering safer, more connected streets that benefit everyone,” said Councilor Kristin Jones, chair of the Public Works Committee. “The community is extremely excited to see this project. It is truly a major step in the right direction.”
Funded with three rounds of federal grant dollars through the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Madison Avenue Road Diet will be implemented in three phases. The tentatively schedule with projected costs are:
Phase 1 / Spring 2025 to Winter 2026
Ray Street to Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive, $10.4 million
Phase 2 / Spring 2026 to Spring 2027
Martin Street to Hanna Avenue, $3.8 million.
Phase 3 / Winter 2027 to Winter 2028
Segment: Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive to Martin Street, $11.7 million.
“By investing in safer roads, we are directly investing in the well-being of our residents and the future of our city. This road diet project, alongside the other over $300 million in investments in DPW infrastructure capital projects, are a reflection of our how we will transform our streets to be safer and more accessible for everyone,” said DPW Director Brandon Herget.
For more information on the Complete Streets projects, to go www.indy.gov/dpwprojects.
