New proposal imagines major changes for southern split of I-70 and I-65

A new plan to redesign the southern split of I-70 and I-65 near Virginia Street could mean big changes for Indianapolis, if it's adopted.

Rethink Coalition, a local nonprofit, released an extensive report detailing how Indianapolis could reimagine how its highways work. It says I-65 and I-70 were built with a 1960s mindset, and that as the highways get older and need repairs, the city has the opportunity to remake them to benefit more than just motorists.

The group's proposed design would shrink the footprint of the Southeast Gateway, making room for businesses and commuter conveniences. One focus is taking advantage of how the highway near Fletcher Place and Fountain Square is already built into a recessed channel.

Taylor Hughes is on Rethink Coalition's board and is a member of Indy Chamber. He says the coalition wants to better utilize the existing structure, to maximize how far future construction funds could go toward revitalizing the surrounding community.

"How do you optimize that recessed structure for transportation connectivity and efficiency, urban connectivity, pedestrian connectivity and economic development alongside the interstates?" Hughes said.

Because the highway is sunken below street level, Rethink's approach would enclose the highway underneath a bridge and make room for a new public park.

"The idea is, can we turn the tops of these infrastructure assets into things that add value for the neighborhoods, as opposed to sort of accepting them as a sort of either a neutral or a negative value from an urban connectivity and development perspective?" Hughes said.

Rethink Coalition says adopting its designs would offer a variety of benefits for people living in the neighborhood. Making room for new businesses and housing to be developed on land formerly taken up by the highway, the group says, could add billions to the local economy.

The group also says parks added above interstates would increase property values for surrounding lots, and improve safety by making a bigger separation between pedestrians and high-speed traffic. The added park could also decrease noise and air pollution.

In an aggregate study from Rethink Coalition its shown that similar projects around the country where interstates were capped and recessed generated millions and, in some places, over a billion dollars were added to local economies.

In order for the Indianapolis proposal to be implemented the city would need to conduct more studies and assessments. The full report, including conceptual renderings, is available on Rethink Coalition's website.

Contact WFYI Digital Producer and Reporter Jeremy Reuben at jreuben@wfyi.org