Go your own way: Michigan and New York Streets now flow in both directions

Officials celebrated the completed conversion of two Indianapolis streets from one-way to two-way traffic on Friday morning.

The changes made to Michigan Street and New York Street include new bike lanes, bus stops and reduced speed limits.

Chief Executive Officer of the Near Eastside Innovation School Corporation Ross Pippin, said the conversion will help bolster near eastside neighborhoods.

“This is a win for safety and a win for health and a win for the economic future of the near east side,” Pippin said, “It's the kind of investment that brings people together, slows traffic down and speeds up opportunity."

Pippin said that before the change, the streets were less safe with speeding traffic leaving downtown. He said the change will have a significant impact on the safety, economy and quality of life in the community.

"It's not just changing a two way street. It really is transforming a neighborhood, and it's hard for people to understand that who haven't lived on a one-way highway," he said. 

The construction is in line with the city’s Vision Zero and Complete Streets policies to improve driver, cyclist and pedestrian safety.

The roadway is one of several being converted to two-way by the Indianapolis Department of Public Works in recent years. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said it’s a critical community investment.

"It is a move to prioritize safety and connectivity in our infrastructure, with cars soon traveling in both directions along these corridors, we will see calmer traffic and a more pedestrian friendly environment, and with the addition of a protected bike lane, this increased safety will extend to our cyclists as well," Hogsett said. 

Traffic on New York Street will begin travelling in both directions on Monday. The new traffic pattern for most of Michigan Street will begin on Tuesday.

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

Contact WFYI managing city editor Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org.