INDIANAPOLIS — IndyGo has announced that the first significant construction closure related to its ambitious Blue Line rapid transit project will begin on or after June 16. The closure, expected to last approximately six months, will affect a key stretch of Washington Street, between North White River Parkway and Belmont Avenue.

The closure marks a pivotal phase of the Blue Line’s development, a 24-mile east-west bus rapid transit (BRT) route that will eventually link major destinations across Indianapolis, including downtown, the State Capitol, Indianapolis International Airport, and the Indianapolis Zoo.

According to IndyGo, westbound lanes along Washington Street will be closed to through traffic throughout the construction period. A designated detour will direct drivers to use North White River Parkway, Michigan Street, and Holt Road. Meanwhile, eastbound lanes will remain open to ensure local access to businesses and residences along the impacted corridor.

“This section of road will be closed for around six months,” the release stated, emphasizing that closures are essential to keeping the project on schedule while ensuring public safety.

Bus Route Impacts and Temporary Stops

The construction will also impact IndyGo’s Route 8, which will reroute westbound service using North White River Parkway, Michigan Street, and Belmont Avenue. Regular bus stops in the construction zone will be non-operational during this period. To maintain service, officials announced two temporary stops:

• Near the intersection of Washington Street and North White River Parkway
• Near the intersection of Washington Street and Belmont Avenue

Harding Street Intersection to Close Temporarily

The release further noted that the intersection of ^Washington Street and Harding Street will also undergo a separate closure for around two months during the overall construction period. Only eastbound traffic will be permitted through the intersection while crews are at work.

Planned detours include:

• Northbound traffic using Oliver and Belmont avenues and Washington Street
• Southbound vehicles rerouted via Washington and West streets, and Kentucky and Oliver avenues
• Southbound trucks detouring via Washington Street, West Street, and I-70 before returning to Harding Street

While the closures are expected to be inconvenient for drivers and transit users, IndyGo emphasized that they are necessary to construct a critical piece of infrastructure that will improve connectivity, transit frequency, and economic access for Indianapolis residents.

The Blue Line is the third installment in IndyGo’s BRT system, following the successful rollout of the Red Line and ongoing work on the Purple Line. Once completed, the Blue Line is expected to significantly reduce commute times and increase transportation options across the city.

For additional updates on the construction schedule, closures, and route information, residents can visit IndyGo’s official Blue Line project website.

Originally reported by David Gay in CBS 4.