Construction of storm sewer trunk lines beneath the new Blue Line bus route will partially close a portion of West Washington Street for about six months beginning the week of June 16.
According to IndyGo, the westbound lane of Washington Street between Belmont Avenue and North White River Parkway will close, and traffic will be rerouted. The eastbound lane will remain open.
Here are the detours to help you get around the street closure.
Driving west
The westbound detour around the closure will require drivers to take North White River Parkway, Michigan Street and Holt Road.
Driving north
Drivers heading north should take Oliver and Belmont avenues and Washington Street.
Driving south
Most drivers heading south should use Washington and West streets and Kentucky and Oliver avenues. Southbound trucks should follow Washington Street to West Street, then use I-70 to return to Harding Street.
Bus routes
IndyGo’s Route 8 will also be affected by the closure. It will detour around the construction using North White River Parkway, Michigan Street and Belmont Avenue.
All the westbound bus stops on West Washington Street between North White River Parkway and Belmont Avenue will be closed.
Temporary stops will be added near the intersection of Washington Street and North White River Parkway and the intersection of Washington Street and Belmont Avenue.
Blue Line
The Blue Line, a bus rapid transit route, will run 24 miles and connect the Indianapolis International Airport to the town of Cumberland via downtown Indianapolis along I-70, Holt Road and Washington Street.
IndyGo says the project will bring infrastructure improvements to Washington Street, including new traffic signals, upgraded sidewalks and curb ramps that meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Construction will also include 7.5 miles of storm sewers to improve water quality.
The project is estimated to cost $387 million and the bus route is expected to debut in 2028.
For more information about the Blue Line, check out IndyGo’s Blue Line site.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Mirror Indy reporter Enrique Saenz covers west Indianapolis. Contact him at 317-983-4203 or enrique.saenz@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on Bluesky at @enriquesaenz.bsky.social.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
