After nearly 18 months of construction, the conversion of New York and Michigan streets to two-way traffic is complete.
The conversion of both roads — between College Avenue and Ellenberger Park — is intended to make the streets safer for cyclists, drivers and pedestrians while also encouraging foot traffic and increasing visibility for local businesses along the corridors.
New York Street will officially become a two-way street on Monday, Aug. 11, while Michigan Street will open to two-way traffic between Highland Avenue and East Pleasant Run Parkway on Tuesday, Aug. 12.
The project is the result of conversations between community leaders and city officials about ways to make the neighborhood safer for residents and more attractive for businesses.
“We’ve always concluded that those commercial corridors just can’t thrive well if you’re on a one-way street where cars are literally zipping 45 miles per hour to and from,” James Taylor, CEO of the John Boner Neighborhood Centers, told Mirror Indy when construction began last year.
The $16.8 million project also included improvements to existing sidewalks, curbs and accessible ramps, crosswalk enhancements, street resurfacing, protected bike lanes and enhanced bus platforms.
During construction, some residents have been parking vehicles within the new bike lanes. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department plans to educate residents about those bike lanes while also enforcing traffic laws — which may include issuing citations and towing vehicles when appropriate, an IMPD spokesperson told Mirror Indy.
Department of Public Works officials and IndyGo will host a ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at the Thomas Gregg Neighborhood School to celebrate the occasion.
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Peter Blanchard covers local government. Reach him at 317-605-4836 or peter.blanchard@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @peterlblanchard.
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