IndyGo Wins Vision of Excellence Award for the Purple Line Project

INDIANAPOLIS - IndyGo was awarded the Vision of Excellence Stormwater Project Award presented by the Indiana Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Partnership, for its Purple Line project. In addition to providing faster, more efficient, reliable transportation, the Purple Line also means significant infrastructure improvements along the 38th Street and Post Road corridors. That includes the implementation of state-of-the-art stormwater management practices.

38th Street, a vital artery on the east side of Indianapolis, faced significant challenges prior to the project's inception, including Pothole-filled roads, lack of sidewalks, and deteriorating curbs that not only hindered vehicular traffic but also endangered pedestrian safety. Additionally, recurrent flooding due to inadequate drainage exacerbated these issues, posing significant risks to both residents and infrastructure.

"This project not only alleviated longstanding infrastructure challenges but also helps foster a sustainable and resilient community," said IndyGo Interim President and CEO Jennifer Pyrz. "By improving transportation access, mitigating flood risks, and enhancing water quality, the project has laid the foundation for continued economic development and environmental stewardship in the region."

With an investment of $188 million, the project aimed to enhance transportation infrastructure and provide safe walkways while prioritizing stormwater management and environmental sustainability.

Some of the key features of the award-winning project include:

• Improved Transit Infrastructure - The 15.2-mile-long Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line will not only reduce travel time by 25%, but also promote eco-friendly transportation solutions.
• Stormwater Management - A separate storm sewer line was installed, redirecting stormwater to a new outlet at Fall Creek, effectively preventing discharges from the Combined Sewer Overflow system.
• Enhanced Drainage Infrastructure - New equipment provided stormwater storage capacity, capable of handling a 10-year rain event. Additionally, the project separated more than 43 acres of drainage along the 38th Street corridor, significantly reducing flood risks.

"As the project nears completion, its lasting impact on enhancing transportation accessibility, mitigating flood risks and promoting environmental sustainability will continue to resonate for years to come, setting a precedent for future infrastructure projects nationwide," said MS4 official.

The Indiana Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Partnership is a consortium of elected officials, municipal staff and industry representatives brought together with mutual objectives of providing guidance and compliance tools for Indiana's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) MS4 Stormwater permittees.

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