New tactical urbanism projects targets three Indy neighborhoods

A new tactical urbanism project is set up along a busy cross section of streets in Indianapolis neighborhoods. The aim is to slow traffic and improve pedestrian and car safety. 

Long, rectangular brightly colored barriers and planters are placed in traffic lanes near highway entrance ramps and near intersections that have poor visibility. More than 100 volunteers came out to help make the plan a reality earlier this month.

Tucker Born is a Fountain Square Neighborhood Association Board Member and a traffic engineer. He says the bridge over the south split is a particularly dangerous area.

“I don't always necessarily want to take a car, which is probably the safest way to get across. I want to walk and bike and enjoy my neighborhood, but you know, walking over the bridge is an unpleasant experience,” Born said.

The community powered infrastructure project is a partnership between three communities – North Square, Fountain Square and Fletcher Place – and touches numerous roadways. The city matches funds for tactical urbanism – where communities can test infrastructure improvements through low-cost, temporary projects that often include art in the right-of-way.

The total for this project was $13,000. It was approved after the community clocked cars going an average of 10 miles-per-hour above the speed limit in areas close to the interstate.

Fletcher Place Neighborhood Association President Matt Impink said the same traffic issues impact numerous neighborhoods.

“It really became a very continuous effort across those neighborhoods, across the street, that connects all three of our neighborhoods together. And I'm really glad that we can work together as neighborhoods, because we've got some common challenges,” Impink said.

Similar projects in Indianapolis have shown reduced speeds and crashes. This project will record the impact on traffic safety and provide a report.

North Square Neighborhood Association President Jordan Ryan said one part of the project includes a mural and pedestrian barrier installations at Virginia Avenue and College Avenue, another trouble spot.

“So sometimes motorists can’t see pedestrians so that made this very critical,” Ryan said.

Ryan said tactical urbanism allows residents to reclaim roadways and find solutions for neighborhoods that were impacted when highways sliced through downtown Indianapolis. 

“It's really painful, and we deserve better. We deserved better in the 1960’s, and we still deserve better. So just slowing it down and making it safe for everyone, that's the goal,” Ryan said.

The south split leading to these neighborhoods is set for reconstruction, as part of interstate improvements. Many hope temporary tactical urbanism projects can help envision a safer future for everyone on Indianapolis roadways.

“Hopefully this project can help shape those conversations into a more people-sized solution,” Born said.