Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026 on new bus docking bays at Indianapolis’ downtown transit center as IndyGo prepares for the future launch of its Blue Line bus rapid transit route.
The improvements will take place at the Julia M. Carson Transit Center and are part of a roughly $2 million project approved in October. The work is designed to accommodate the Blue Line, a 24-mile east-west rapid transit corridor that will eventually connect Indianapolis International Airport with the town of Cumberland.
As part of the project, a 14-inch raised platform will be constructed along East Washington Street to support two additional bus docking bays. One bay will serve the Blue Line when the route opens in 2028, while the second bay will function as a contingency option for the existing Red Line and Purple Line services.
The new docking bays will be located along East Washington Street at the Julia M. Carson Transit Center, expanding the facility’s capacity to handle bus rapid transit operations as IndyGo’s network continues to grow. The bays will be covered by awnings and include passenger amenities consistent with those found at other IndyGo rapid transit stations, enhancing comfort and accessibility for riders.
The project will require the removal of 19 on-street public parking spaces along East Washington Street between Delaware Street and Alabama Street. IndyGo officials have indicated the tradeoff is necessary to support the long-term expansion of high-capacity transit service in the city’s core.
The Blue Line is one of IndyGo’s most significant planned transit investments and is expected to improve east-west mobility across Indianapolis. Once operational, the line will provide a direct connection between major employment centers, neighborhoods, and the airport, complementing the system’s existing Red and Purple lines.
Construction on the new bays is expected to conclude in 2027, ahead of the Blue Line’s anticipated 2028 opening. When complete, the upgrades will position the downtown transit center to serve as a more flexible and resilient hub for bus rapid transit operations, allowing IndyGo to better manage service disruptions and future growth.
The renovation reflects broader efforts by IndyGo to modernize transit infrastructure in Indianapolis as ridership demand and system complexity increase.
Originally reported by Peter Blanchard, Mirror Indy in WishTV.
