Transformative New Visuals
Last month, Rethink Coalition unveiled a compelling vision for the future of Indianapolis’s urban infrastructure, presenting new renderings of a recessed I-65/I-70 interstate Inner Loop that promises to reshape the cityscape. The conceptual graphics are posted on our new website, a comprehensive platform designed to engage the public and share information about the transformative initiative. The newly released renderings showcase Rethink Coalition's innovative approach to urban planning, highlighting a recessed highway that not only addresses traffic challenges while prioritizing community connectivity, equitable development opportunities, green spaces, and quality of life considerations. The renderings offer a glimpse into a future where transportation infrastructure seamlessly integrates with the surrounding environment, fostering walkable, connected, and vibrant urban neighborhoods.
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The transformative new visuals have generated lots of excitement and some great questions. We answer many of them in the website's FAQs and will continue to update the FAQs as new questions arise. Here's one question we address:
Question: Now that the North Split is complete, is Rethink Coalition's vision still feasible?
Answer: Yes! Rethink Coalition’s vision is for a fully recessed Inner Loop outside of the North Split, bordered by an on-grade perimeter multimodal boulevard, all of which can easily be constructed within the existing interstate right-of-way. It replaces space-consuming, high-speed, limited-access ramps and elevated embankments to allow an efficient compact freeway passing under, rather than above, the urban grid. The results would transform an interstate-style dead zone into a multimodal path of interconnectivity, create significant zones for new equitable development, and open space for amenities to support that development. The magic of this vision is the innovative, but proven, infrastructure financing process of value capture. Read the Visionary Study to learn more.
One positive result of the North Split development and construction process is that it motivated INDOT to advance the remainder of the Inner Loop construction through a process called ProPEL that allows for more open collaboration and input. ProPEL is intended to streamline the environmental approval process by reducing conflict-caused project delays. Visit ProPEL Indy to learn more.
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Update on USDOT Grant Project
Rethink Coalition leaders are currently waiting for federal highway officials to sign off on a grant agreement that will allow us to start the planning study to cap a portion of the southeast leg of the I-65/I-70 downtown Inner Loop near the Fletcher Place and Fountain Square neighborhoods. The goal is to create more livable, reconnected communities around the interstate while maintaining interstate commerce and regional travel. In the year-long study, Rethink Coalition will work with experts and adjacent neighborhoods to develop design alternatives for this section of the Inner Loop that can test ideas for the overall Inner Loop. Cross our fingers we'll get a green light on the grant agreement soon!
| | | Explore Urbanism and Infrastructure with City Nerd | |
Every Wednesday, Ray Delehanty (aka ‘City Nerd on YouTube’) explores urbanism, transportation, and all the things that make cities unique. He has a professional background in transportation planning and traffic data analysis, giving validity to his research and opinions. Blake Roebuck, Indy Chamber's Vice President of Corporate Relations, and a City Nerd fan, appreciates the narrative Delehanty so uniquely presents through data, form, function, and an endearing sense of humor. As the Indy Chamber’s regional economic development plan, Accelerate Indy, is focused on providing ‘Opportunity for All’, this type of compelling, visual storytelling helps breakthrough to new audiences of our vision to improve the Indy region through this once-in-a-generation infrastructure investment opportunity.
Here’s one of City Nerd's brief YouTube episodes Blake recommends:
Urbanism: Insidious Globalist Conspiracy or Self-Evident Common Sense - explores the concept of urbanism and comments on the impact of interstates in the urban centers of US cities.
You can watch more episodes here: City Nerd. Read more about Ray here: The Urbanist.
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We're thrilled to announce a gathering that aims to bring our community together through the power of literature—introducing the Rethink 65-70 Book Club!
Our first read is Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities by Veronica Davis. Why this book? Because it delves into the critical intersection of transportation and community, shedding light on how a thoughtful approach to transportation planning can foster inclusivity and repair the divides that may exist within our neighborhoods.
Here are the details for the gathering:
Tuesday, February 27th
6:00 to 7:30 pm
Draft Creative Space
1525 Prospect Street
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Please sign up if you plan on participating.
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About the Author
Veronica O. Davis, PE, is a civil engineer, planner, transportation nerd, public speaker, community activist, guest lecturer, poet, blogger, lover of art, yogi, foodie, world explorer, wife, and mom. When she was twenty-two years old, she wrote a life strategic plan declaring that she would be a world-renowned transportation expert and an author with an eclectic collection of books across multiple genres. The clarity of that vision allows her to achieve her goals.
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Support Rethink
We need your support to ensure we can do all the work necessary to engage the community and all stakeholders in conversations about the future of the I-65/70 Inner Loop. We hope you’ll become a Rethink supporter by donating. Together, we can rebuild the Inner Loop better.
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