Webinar, Public Meeting On Purple Line Study Is Thursday

INDIANAPOLIS — On the heels of last week’s news that the Red Line is moving forward with a $2 million federal grant to complete a final round of studies, Indy Connect planners are getting ready to close the book on the first stage of study for the Purple Line.

On Sept. 25, the public is invited to attend a public meeting and/or a webinar to hear about and comment on new information, including the final route recommendation and dedicated lane locations, for the Purple Line study corridors (30th and 38th streets).

The Purple Line will serve mid-north neighborhoods and connect to local bus routes to improve access to jobs, education, healthcare and more.  The study corridor generally follows 38th Street, and the Purple Line could serve key destinations like Eagle Highlands, Lafayette Square, Healthplex, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indiana State Fairgrounds, the Meadows, and the City of Lawrence.

“As we move closer to implementing portions of the Indy Connect plan, it’s important that the public help us ensure that the system we are planning meets the needs of the communities they serve,” said Anna Gremling, executive director of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization. “The completion of this study, like the announcement regarding the Red Line last week, are important steps towards making these plans a reality. But, we need the public to help us get it right.”

At the meetings and webinar, there will be a short, interactive presentation and time to talk with planners about the Purple Line.

The sessions will be:
• Thursday, Sept. 25, 12-1 p.m., register and participate in the webinar at www.indyconnect.org
• Thursday, Sept. 25, 5-6:30 p.m., North United Methodist Church, 38th and Meridian streets

When fully implemented, the Indy Connect plan will add five rapid transit lines (Red, Blue, Green, Purple and Orange), double the current local bus service and add express bus routes and community circulators. It would connect to IndyGo’s Downtown Transit Center, which opens in 2015 and will serve as a central downtown hub for destinations, boardings and transfers.

To take an IndyGo bus to the public meeting, visit www.Indygo.net to plan your trip or call (317) 635-3344. Bilingual support and sign language interpretation is available upon request by calling (317) 327-5136.

For more information on the Indy Connect plan, visit www.indyconnect.org, or through Facebook and Twitter.