IBJ: City to spend $20M on West Washington Street following Blue Line shift

Read the full story by Taylor Wooten here.

The city announced Monday that $20 million will be spent on improvements to West Washington Street from Holt Road to Lynhurst Drive—making up a portion of the $50 million that IndyGo had promised to spend before an October board decision to alter plans for the Blue Line rapid-transit bus line.

Speaking at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 4129 W. Washington St., Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said the funds will be used for stormwater upgrades, substantial improvements to sidewalks and overdue drainage updates focusing on the Fleming Gardens neighborhood. Streets in Fleming Gardens will be resurfaced, too. The project still tackles a smaller area than the previous IndyGo plan, which would have made improvements as far west as High School Road.

Hogsett said multiple creative funding solutions will be utilized, including $12.5 million from Indianapolis International Airport TIF funding. City-County Councilor Jared Evans, who represents the area, said funding might also include American Rescue Plan Act money.