Capital Investment Grants Program drives transformative improvements in transit infrastructure, including IndyGo’s Blue Line, which will provide dependable, efficient transit service

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced a grant award of $149.9 million to the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo) to help fund construction of the Blue Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Central Indiana. The 24-mile BRT line will provide fast and frequent public transportation along one of Marion County, Indiana's main east-west travel corridors. The corridor serves over 28 million visitors for conventions, meetings, and events and supports approximately 150,000 jobs. 

"With enhanced reliability, greater frequency, and comfort, this expansion guarantees that every resident and visitor has access to vital hubs in Indianapolis, which is particularly gratifying to see in my home state," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "The Biden-Harris Administration is enhancing the way people travel in the country’s heartland by connecting riders to the airport, students to education, and Indy residents to new opportunities while supporting economic vitality and regional growth."

The project includes 12 miles of dedicated bus-only lanes in the urban core, helping speed riders on their way. The corridor encompasses some of the region's largest trip generators, including downtown Indianapolis, the State Capitol, the airport, and the Indianapolis Zoo. The Blue Line will also stop at three high schools and several planned redevelopment areas. 

More than 28 million visitors come to the region each year for conventions, meetings, and events at sports venues that are within walking distance of the Blue Line, including Indianapolis Colts football games, and Indiana Pacers basketball. Other large attractions near the line include the Convention Center and a soccer stadium that is under construction.  

"This investment in the Blue Line represents a real commitment to the city's transportation infrastructure and will reduce transit travel times in the corridor by up to 30 percent," said FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. "With upgraded traffic signals, miles of resurfaced lanes, new and replaced sidewalks, curb ramps, bike stations, and crosswalks, FTA is building safer, more sustainable, and accessible pathways for everyone, including improved transit service for a large number of low-income and zero-car households." 

The project includes 60-foot hybrid buses, helping improve air quality. With more than 45,000 people within walking distance of a station in the corridor, service will operate 20 hours per weekday, with frequent service. 

The 30 stations will offer a variety of transit choices, including access for pedestrians, cyclists, transfers to and from other routes, and park-and-ride commuters.  

The federal support for the estimated $396 million project comes from FTA's Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program, which helps communities carry out transformational transit projects.

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