Months of orange barrels and torn-up pavement on Washington Boulevard are finally over. The Indianapolis Department of Public Works says it has wrapped a major roadway and drainage overhaul on the near-northside corridor, completing work between 29th and 40th streets on Monday. The project repaved traffic lanes, rebuilt sidewalks, added ADA-compliant curb ramps and refreshed crosswalks, while crews also upgraded underground stormwater systems and finished things off with new pavement markings and signage.
Fresh photos from the department show the scale of the spruce-up, including more than two miles of dedicated bike lanes, five lane-miles of new asphalt, rebuilt sidewalks and ADA ramps, plus new storm sewers and stormwater manholes, according to the Indy DPW. The post includes before and after images and says the Washington Boulevard corridor "will be preserved for future generations."
Project Contract And Scope
The work ties back to the SD-22-101 "2022 Thoroughfare Drainage Improvements Area 2" procurement, which outlined drainage upgrades and structural rehabilitation along Washington Boulevard from 29th to 40th streets, according to the city's bid documents. Board of Public Works records show the SD-22-101 contract went to E & B Paving, LLC for roughly $5.1 million, combining stormwater improvements with the surface rehabilitation that drivers and cyclists now see on the ground.
Neighborhood Reaction And Context
The bike-lane component did not exactly slide through unnoticed. During public meetings, some residents pushed back over the loss of street parking, while supporters argued the new lanes would boost safety and neighborhood connectivity. That debate, and the city’s broader push, was chronicled by Mirror Indy. City officials have presented the project as part of Indianapolis’ Complete Streets and Vision Zero efforts, aimed at tying nearby neighborhoods more directly to the Monon and Fall Creek trails.
What Residents Should Expect
With construction wrapped, officials say Washington Boulevard is open to regular traffic. The upgraded drainage system is expected to cut down on localized flooding and help extend the life of the new pavement, while the fresh striping and bike lanes are now in full view. Project photos and basic materials are available through Indy DPW's pages. For procurement and contract records, residents can review the Board of Public Works packet and the city's bid documents mentioned above, or contact the Department of Public Works for additional details.
