The interstate highway system is now so old that massive reconstructions of the original pavement have been under way for years.
But in Indianapolis, a ghost of the original plan remains: The extension of Interstate 69 all the way downtown from I-465 on the northeast side.
Is it time to reconsider the project? A better road would alleviate lots of congestion and cut the time needed to drive from Fishers to downtown by about half.
Even though it was never completed, much of the groundwork is laid. Four-lane Binford Boulevard angles toward downtown from I-465 but stops at Fall Creek Parkway. Now, look at Google Maps carefully and you’ll notice a tiny spur extending toward Fall Creek from the north interchange of I-70 and I-65 downtown.
Could the northern interchange and Binford be linked at a reasonable price? A route from the northern interchange to Binford could easily pass through a series of brownfields and neighborhoods that probably never will attract urban pioneers like the Old Northside did.
The drawbacks would be significant. An interstate might torpedo plans for mass transit. Cars and trucks would howl past Martindale Brightwood and Fall Creek Place. Sprawl might get another shot in the arm.
What are your thoughts?
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I think a express bus route is a better idea.
a suitable option.
I'd also suggest that you talk to the people rebuilding the area "Martindale on the Monon" -- that area is directly in the original path of I69 and the neighborhood would be eviscerated if the interstate were built. They also might beg to differ with the notion that urban pioneers aren't interested in this area.
Spend the time, money and energy on a mass transit line from Fishers.
I-ways should be for INTERSTATE travel. When one travels from Indy to Atlanta, why should that INTERSTATE traveler have to put up with 3 lanes filled with shift workers and bank tellers using the INTERSTATES as local roads?
Dumb, dumber and dumbest, but what would one expect of a system designed by politicians?
please don't bring this up again
Norm's idea is not only reasonable but worth considering. I did not realize how many tree huggers we had in this city.
I say we slap a 30% sales tax on bicycles and running shorts, plow under the monon, and install an gas/oil pipeline in its place. That revenue can be used to pay for the new highway and to offset the losses from defunct windfarm investments and the environmental catastrophes caused by lithium-ion battery disposal.
BTW, I-69 south of the city is a monumental waste of money and isn't even needed.
The extension mentioned here, along with the widely expensive extension of I-69 across new terrain in the SW part of the state simply is living in the past. We simply must get off the highway and into rail. Doing so will come at a signicantly lower cost than continuing to build more roads and attempting to maintain them.
But, let's be real. The political will to do the correct thing has withered and died under the weight of media and the pressure from those who actually have something to gain by spending billions on a transit idea that was proven wrong when the railroads went broke trying to move passengers. Americans don't like to be told when they must be on the train, so most will not use it. But, the promoters would have 100% of the taxpayers, what few are left, pay for all of it. Personally, even though I work Downtown I cannot imagine the opportunity when I might actually take the train or bus: no flexibility, too much walking, too much weather, and I would still need to pay for the whole car and monthly parking. The only savings would be the gas and a little wear and tear on the car. Not happening.
Mass transit is a bad idea for a City such as ours that is capable of expanding in every direction: land values never get high enough to force people beyond the point of commutability, so they just drive a little longer. Our traffic situation is nothing compared to larger cities, most of which already have mass transit without solving their traffic problems.
So, back to the original answer: build the road. It has been on the shelf much too long already.
It doesn't even hurt the transportation industry, It just doesn't help the 2% that would benefit from it. Bad idea all the way around.
I seriously hope that you are fishing for a further expanded article supporting mass transit. When other cities are actively looking at how to remove freeways from their urban core, funneling more into ours, seems like a horrible idea.
Meh. if you all don't want any chance of going quicker to the north side, than no worries. we can just push any idea away that COULD improve our traffic. granted it could make it worse, but it could also make it better (if planned out right).
I just know it is a hassle for me to travel from the south west side to places like Frys and Keystone @ the Crossing because I have to hop on this road to get to that road to another road to get there. Not just that, but there are good places on the south west side of indy that are good. Airport, Gray brother's Cafeteria, and enough land in the area to build up like the north east side just to name a few ideas.
I hope that we aren't so fickle enough that we get our panties in a bunch over an idea without analysing all options that it can be laid out and planned for all to enjoy.
-I think that "walking thing" is something Hoosiers need to try more of. Take a look around... you should see enough to agree with that. Or just read any health-related articles about Indiana.
Anyway, really... another intersate running through downtown? I-65 and I-70 already run through downtown... want to run I-74 through too? Hey, it's already on both sides of the interstate, that should make it easy! Wait, that's it, let's just turn the core of the city into a massive interstate interchange... yeah, that would be lovely.
Some people amaze me. A couple of minutes would be saved on commute time in the short-term, and in the long-term they would be lost again. Remember, there are people that avoid this path already to get to downtown from Fishers (think I-70)... so, if you made it interstate the whole way in, I think some of those people would take this path again. So, there's your 2 extra lanes filled back up.
So, Norm, I would like to see where you found that the commute time from Fishers to downtown would be cut in half by bringing I-69 into downtown. Or is this just your assumption to stir the pot, and get some comments on this blog?
Seems like some of you have a lot of disdain for Marion County. Why does one need an interstate to get to a place one so quickly disparages? Seems like that makes you THE LEAST QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO MAKE ANY DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS HERE. :-) You want to get into our center quickly? You're going to have to take the train! Because the Republicans and the Democrats support it, and it's going to happen whether you like it or not.
MWAHAHA!
However, it's ok to raise ideas and ask questions, even ones that have been discussed in the past.
You obviously don't know how eminent domain litigation works. It wouldn't tie up the project at all. The fight would be over the value of the property taken and, in the meantime, the government entity is allowed to go ahead and do the work.
As far as those of you who are advocating mass transit, how many times does mass transit have to fail before people realize it's not a feasible option in Indianapolis? Not runing I-69 downtown was a huge mistake. It would lead to a lot less congestion, not more.
I'll also repeat the point that building this would only shaves minutes off the commute for NE-siders. If those minutes are supposedly so important, why haven't these people already moved closer to work?
And as long as we're talking crazy: we could probably build brand new McMansions for a sizable chunk of people that wanted to live closer to work for the cost of building a new I69 into downtown and that would have the added advantage of PERMANENTLY removing them from the expressways.
Also, the State Legislature should consider some type of city/town growth boundaries to slow down suburban growth and create more density in city/towns. This with Indy Connect could allow for reclamation of land from run downed neighborhoods into urban forest/parks to better the quality of living in the city.
In the end this is a win/win for everyone.
The point made by you and others about ending construction of highways through city centers is certainly legitimate. The point of the post was simply to raise the question; occasionally, building highways may make sense.
Blog well done
Also, the State Legislature should consider some type of city/town growth boundaries to slow down suburban growth and create more density in city/towns. This with Indy Connect could allow for reclamation of land from run downed neighborhoods into urban forest/parks to better the quality of living in the city.
Honestly, I know Marion County residents LOATHE Hamilton County/Carmel but speaking as a girl who grew up in Marion County (Pike Township), lived in Carmel during college (right by City Center, near the new Palladium), and now lives back downtown, the new Keystone is AWESOME. It is so nice to be able to avoid stoplights after 96th street! The only congestion is between 86th and 96th street, because of the 465 intersection. Just sayin'....