Group proposes covering part of the South Split INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Rethink I-65/I-70 Coalition is challenging people in Indianapolis to rethink how to use a section of I-65 and I-70 in a new and creative way. The goal is to cover part of the South Split from Virginia Avenue to Bates Street with a roof, of sorts, and redevelop the area to help reconnect neighborhoods to downtown. The interstate would stay exactly where it is, the new design would put a cap on top of the roughly half-mile stretch. Brenda Freije, president and CEO of the nonprofit Rethink I-65/I-70 Coalition, explained the cap. “Which means actually building a land bridge starting from Virginia Avenue and going north. So, we are in the process of engaging the community on what would it look like, what would we build on top of the cap, would it be a park or buildings and just what would the community need.” This project would not require crews to dig a tunnel for the highway because it is already below street level. “In most of the other parts of the interloop and downtown, it’s elevated so you actually drive under it, but, in this section, it’s down below grade or it’s recessed.” Jordan Ryan is a historian for the coalition and lives in one of the affected neighborhoods. She said people in their 80s will remember the neighborhood’s vibrancy before the interstate arrived. “They moved here, they bought a house, they started a family, highway comes in, and it’s a huge economic downturn for them, which leads to a less of a quality of life, crime issues.” Ryan said Indianapolis has a chance to change this. “When you think about the barriers, both physical and psychological between Fountain Square and North Square with Fletcher Place and downtown, I think this is a huge opportunity not just for connectivity, but for how we reimagine that space. Maybe it’s green space, maybe it’s new housing, maybe it’s affordable housing.” In total, the coalition is working with $2.75 million to conduct a study and send a rough draft for Indiana Department of Transportation to consider. Freije said, “It’s the preliminary work that you have to do to position yourself to actually do construction.” Interstate redevelopment isn’t cheap. The coalition said the work was estimated to cost $2.7 billion in 2020. The section of highway would need to have standard maintenance without this connector. That was estimated to be $2.3 billion, or $400 million less than the improvements with the connector project. ...read more read less