Red Line: Westfield’s mass transit study to begin later this year

0

By Sadie Hunter

Love it or hate it, mass transit is a hot topic for central Indiana.

In Westfield, it’s hard to judge what the majority believes should happen as the city continues to grow, drawing non-residents from other Hamilton County communities, Indianapolis and further south.

IndyGo and Indy Connect have worked for several years to extend its Red Line through the most northern parts of Westfield.

With the proposed upgrade and revamping of downtown in Grand Junction, the completion of Grand Park and the soon-to-come Grand Park Fieldhouse, city government leaders realize Westfield may need a mass transit system.

But officials aren’t saying anything yet, holding out for the completion of an environmental study the city council approved funding for – $146,206 – at its March 23 meeting.

Westfield Mayor Andy Cook was unavailable for comment as of press time.

Bryan Luellen, director of public affairs for IndyGo, said this study, to begin this fall, will cover an array of topics. He said the more public phase of the study would ramp up in very early 2016.

“The study will consider traffic impacts, historical structures along the line, environmental impacts, air quality, noise and vibration, and any potential impacts to other natural, cultural, recreational or biological resources,” he said.

In an Indy Connect analysis of connection to Westfield from February of this year, three service options were studied: No build, Alternative 1 (Shuttle) and Alternative 2 (Bus Rapid Transit).

With the No Build option, bus rapid transit service would be provided from Greenwood, north to Carmel’s City Center, and no service would be provided north of the City Center or in Westfield.

With Alternative 1, the shuttle option, a local shuttle would circulate from the Carmel City Center and extend through northern Westfield into Grand Park at Grand Park Boulevard and 186th Street. Bus rapid transit would be used for stops and stations south of the City Center, and riders would then transfer to the local shuttle for stops north of the City Center and in Westfield. The Indy Connect analysis from February estimates this option with a capital cost of approximately $4.5 million and an annual operating and maintenance estimate of $2.2 million.

With Alternative 2, bus rapid transit service would be provided all the way through the Red Line’s most northern stop at Grand Park and 186th Street without riders transferring to a local shuttle. This would be the most extensive and expensive build-out of the Red Line with a capital cost estimate of nearly $11.7 million and an annual operating and maintenance estimate of $1.9 million.

Westfield could see three major stops at the city’s largest consumer and recreation areas that draw huge numbers day in and day out. Stops and station locations would be the same for both Alternative 1 and 2.

The three major stations proposed would be at Greyhound Plaza/Village Park Plaza near 146th Street and U.S. 31, downtown at Grand Junction at Union Street and Ind. 32, and at Grand Park at Grand Park Boulevard and 186th Street.

Stations would feature shelter, real-time passenger information, off-board fare collection, security and adequate lighting, and bicycle parking.

Hours of service for both Alternative 1 and 2 would be the same, too: Weekdays from 4:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., Saturdays from 6:30 a.m. to 12 a.m., and Sundays from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The IndyGo study says Alternative 2 would elicit the highest ridership, estimated at 10,098 rides per weekday, compared to Alternative 1’s 9,322 rides per weekday.

Consumers, based on capital cost estimates, could expect to pay approximately $2.61 per trip with either alternative.

Luellen said once each city’s environmental study and preliminary engineering is completed in early 2016, IndyGo would be able to refine costs associated with construction in later phases of the project.

“Operational plans are not formed yet, however, the referendum money combined with fares would pay for the operation of service,” he said.

If all goes in the favor of IndyGo, Indy Connect and the Red Line plan, the City of Westfield and Hamilton County governments will then begin working for a referendum that would implement the Red Line in Carmel and Westfield.

“Construction of the Red Line north of Broad Ripple will be dependent upon a referendum in Hamilton County,” Luellen said. “It looks like the earliest the Red Line would open in Westfiled would be 2020 – contingent upon referendum and other funding options.”

BY THE NUMBERS 

Alternative 1:

Estimated 9,322 rides per weekday

Capital cost of approximately $4.5 million

Annual operating and maintenance estimate of $2.2 million

Alternative 2:

Estimated 10,098 rides per weekday

Capital cost estimate of nearly $11.7 million

Annual operating and maintenance estimate of $1.9 million

Why cities are looking at Red Line

Talent attraction and retention

“Between 2001 and 2009, vehicle miles per capita among millennials decreased 15 percent,” Luellen said. “Young professionals want options other than driving.”

Commuting alternatives

“[Approximately] 13,440 residents in 2013 were commuting from Marion to Hamilton County for work,” Luellen said. “[Approximately] 53,849 Hamilton County residents were commuting to Marion County.

Job access

The business community in Hamilton County has said that getting workers from Indianapolis is vital for their success,” Luellen said. “More than half of all trips on transit nationally are people going to or from work.”

Tourism

“Grand Park attracts many visitors, and as it continues to grow, access to the park via transit will continue to be important,” Luellen said.

Convenient access to entertainment options

“Downtown Indy is a hub of entertainment for central Indiana residents,” Luellen said. “Sporting and special events in other major regions are generally served by transit.”

Economic development

“Investing in transit returns money to the local economy,” Luellen said. “The Healthline BRT in Cleveland generated $5.8 billion in development.”


Current Morning Briefing Logo

Stay CURRENT with our daily newsletter (M-F) and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox for free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Share.

Current Morning Briefing Logo

Stay CURRENT with our daily newsletter (M-F) and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox for free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact