Indianapolis, Ind. — U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly welcomed news that, with his support, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) intends to sign a Full Funding Grant Agreement for $75 million for the IndyGo Red Line project. Donnelly has supported and advocated for this project over the past several years. Among his efforts, he backed the IndyGo application in 2015 and helped IndyGo navigate the application process. In addition, he has consistently supported federal funding for the Capital Investment Grant Program (CIG) and pushed for assurances FTA would continue to implement the program, despite the Administration’s budget request to stop funding new projects through the Capital Investment Grants Program. Recently, he stressed the importance of the Capital Investment Grants Program and consequences of FTA delaying funding during a Senate hearing.

Donnelly said, “I was proud to support the IndyGo Red Line’s effort to secure this major federal grant. This federal funding is critical, so that IndyGo can build this rapid transit line that will improve infrastructure, spur continued economic growth in Indianapolis, and provide efficient, convenient public transportation.”

Mike Terry, IndyGo President and CEO, said, “Thanks to the strong support from Senator Donnelly and Indianapolis’s other congressional officials, the Red Line project is moving forward. Transit investments like the Red Line provide critical infrastructure for a more connected and economically strong city.”

The Project is a proposed 13.1-mile bus rapid transit (BRT) line, where 7.7 miles of the route will operate within exclusive or semi-exclusive bus lanes and the remaining 5.4 miles will operate in mixed traffic. The Project will operate from Broad Ripple Village in the north, through Downtown Indianapolis, and terminate at the University of Indianapolis in the south. Along the corridor, 27 new stations will be constructed, comprising 20 center boarding platform stations and seven curbside station pairs, plus a stop at the existing Julia M. Carson Transit Center in Downtown Indianapolis, for a total of 28 stations served. All new stations will feature real-time arrival displays, off-board fare collection, level boarding, and security features. Thirteen, 60-foot articulated electric buses will be purchased as part of the Project and Transit Signal Priority (TSP) installed along the route. IndyGo estimates that construction of this project will create approximately 325 jobs.

For information on how Senator Donnelly’s office can assist cities, municipalities, and groups applying for federal grants, please visit https://www.donnelly.senate.gov/help/grants.

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