Smarter Transportation Builds Stronger Communities

ProPEL Indy is a unique opportunity for Indy residents to envision the future of our transportation network. This study will inform the next 20 years of investment in our interstates, as we identify ways to enhance the region’s overall mobility, equity, economic opportunity, and quality of life.

study overview

ProPEL Indy is a unique opportunity for Indianapolis residents to envision the future of the urban interstates. This study will inform the next 20 years of investment in our interstates as we identify ways to modernize these roads and improve the region’s overall mobility, equity, economic opportunity, and quality of life.

The goal of ProPEL Indy is to identify transportation needs and community goals along I-65 and I-70, inside the I-465 loop. ProPEL Indy will develop a set of options to be considered that meet transportation needs and community goals. This will set the long-term vision for investment in the interstates.

VISION

ProPEL Indy is an opportunity to share your ideas  and create a bold vision for the future of Indy’s urban interstates.

ProPEL Indy is intentionally designed to be more inclusive, open, and collaborative—so every Hoosier can have a voice in the process. Over the next two years, there will be a variety of opportunities for you to get involved, join the conversation, and share your vision for the future of Indianapolis.

Listen

ProPEL Indy is listening to residents across the Indianapolis region about how we can improve our interstates for the next generation.

We want to hear from people all across the region with a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and opinions on how to move forward. Throughout the study, residents will have multiple opportunities to get involved, including online forums, public meetings, one-on-one interviews, and listening sessions to gather your candid feedback.

Results

ProPEL Indy will result in a bold vision to modernize our interstates and enhance our community for generations to come.

Once complete, ProPEL Indy will result in an innovative plan of improvements to modernize our interstates, while prioritizing local connectivity and quality of life. With the collaboration of community leaders and Indy residents, ProPEL Indy will create a long-term vision for the future of I-65 and I-70 in Indianapolis. This study will balance visionary ideas with sound engineering and responsible financial management.

Study limits

The ProPEL Indy study limits include approximately 11 miles of I-65, 14 miles of I-70, and 1 mile where I-65 and I-70 overlap. As an organizational tool, the study limits are represented into the following spokes:

  • 65 spoke;
  • 65/70 Downtown spoke;
  • 70 West spoke;
  • 70 East spoke.

The study limits extend slightly beyond I-465 and the I-65/I-70 South Split interchange to consider the potential influence of those system interchanges. The recently completed I-65/I-70 North Split is excluded from the study limits.

ProPEL Indy’s study area does overlap with the I-65 Safety & Efficiency project on the southeast side of Indianapolis. The overlap with I-65 Safety & Efficiency extends from north of Fletcher Ave on I-65/I-70 to the South Split interchange ending south of Morris Street along I-65. The remainder of the I-65 Safety & Efficiency project area, which extends south on I-65 to I-465 is excluded from the study limits.

ProPEL Indy is a future-focused study, which means the overlap in the study area does not impact ProPEL Indy’s ability to identify needs and develop options for future improvements in the overlapping area.

Study Schedule

ProPEL Indy is a two-year study and your input is shaping the future of Indianapolis.

Public engagement opportunities will occur at each of the following five milestones as shown in the schedule.

ProPEL Indy Pillars

Transportation is more than just roads; it’s a pathway to economic growth, quality of life, mobility, and equity for all. ProPEL Indy is a collaborative effort, and your voice and engagement is shaping the future of our crossroads. The ProPEL Indy Pillars represent the cornerstones of the study – while we work together to modernize our interstates.

In this pillar, the study team is assessing transportation systems that consider quality of life and livability factors. We can promote vibrant communities by considering factors such as accessibility, aesthetics, functional public spaces, noise and pollution mitigation. This pillar is focusing on prioritizing the overall well-being and quality of life for Indy residents.

With the ProPEL Indy study, we are diving deep into our transportation system, looking for interstate improvements that open and support economic opportunities for business at every scale.

Indiana is called the Crossroads of America for a reason. As Hoosiers, we value safe, reliable, and efficient infrastructure to get us to work, promote commerce, and provide a quality of life we expect. This pillar is focusing on interstate improvements while considering safety, connectivity, and mobility options.

Equity is not a one-size-fits-all solution. This pillar is focusing on interstate improvements that reduce inequality and meet the needs of the adjacent communities.

Join the Conversation

ProPEL Indy is your chance to shape the future of Indianapolis. Provide your feedback and help strengthen our community for generations to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ProPEL Indy?

ProPEL Indy is a unique opportunity for Indianapolis residents to envision the future of our urban interstates. This study aims to identify ways to modernize our roads and improve the region’s overall mobility, equity, economic opportunity, and quality of life. ProPEL Indy will specifically focus on the sections of I-65 and I-70 within the I-465 loop.

What kind of study is ProPEL Indy?

The ‘PEL’ in ProPEL Indy is a nod to this being a PEL study, which stands for Planning and Environment Linkages. A PEL study a federal process used by agencies like INDOT to make and document planning decisions that can inform future work. By following the PEL process, residents and other study stakeholders are engaged early in planning and with their input, the study team can evaluate community goals alongside transportation needs, engineering analyses, and environmental concerns to determine potential future solutions. By working together on this study, we can ProPEL our communities forward through smarter transportation infrastructure.

Why are you conducting a study if you already know what the outcome will be?

No decisions have been made regarding the outcome of the ProPEL Indy study. We have no lines on a map or potential projects determined. All ideas are on the table, and each will be considered equally by the study team. That’s why public feedback is vital to the success of the study. With your active participation and input, you can help the study team understand local needs, identify opportunities and concerns as well as assess potential improvement options.

Why is this study important?

As Hoosiers, we all depend on safe, reliable transportation infrastructure to get us to work, promote economic growth, and provide quality of life. Central Indiana is home to a world-class transportation system that links our businesses, neighborhoods, and attractions together. But most interstates inside the I-465 loop were built more than 40 years ago and will need to be modernized in the near future. That’s why we need to identify strategies to further strengthen and improve our transportation network.

What is the purpose of ProPEL Indy?

ProPEL Indy will result in a bold vision to modernize our interstates and enhance our community for generations to come. This study will seek to understand community goals, assess local transportation needs, consider innovative ideas to improve I-65 and I-70, and result in a variety of recommendations for future improvements to modernize our interstates while prioritizing local connectivity and quality of life. Of course, these bold plans still need to be financially sound. ProPEL Indy will also evaluate construction costs and provide realistic recommendations for future project funding.

How will ProPEL Indy ensure that community needs are being addressed?

ProPEL Indy is all about actively listening to our community. Since launching in June, we have and will continue to gather your thoughts and feedback through a series of listening sessions, public meetings, online forums, and one-on-one interviews. We will also work with community leaders and organizations to ensure that we are hearing from a diverse range of voices and perspectives. ProPEL Indy will then use that feedback alongside the data analyzed by the study team to develop a plan that prioritizes community needs and equitably enhances the quality of life for all residents.

Is the ReThink I-65/I-70 Coalition the same as ProPEL Indy?

ProPEL Indy is a transportation planning study focused on sections of I-65 and I-70 within the I-465 loop. The ReThink I-65/I-70 Coalition is an independent group who have shared their bold ideas with the ProPEL Indy study team. The ideas from all stakeholders including those submitted by residents, commuters, and businesses who use the interstate system inside of I-465 will be considered throughout the study process.

 The ReThink Coalition is leading a separate federally-funded planning study of their own focused on the Southeastern segment of I-70 between Washington Street and Virginia Avenue.

Does ProPEL Indy overlap with I-65 Safety & Efficiency project?

ProPEL Indy’s study area does overlap with the I-65 Safety & Efficiency project on the southeast side of Indianapolis. The overlap with I-65 Safety & Efficiency extends from north of Fletcher Ave on I-65/I-70 to the South Split interchange ending south of Morris Street along I-65. ProPEL Indy is a future-focused study, which means the overlap in the study area does not impact ProPEL Indy’s ability to identify needs and develop recommendations for future improvements in the overlapping area.

Who can participate in this study?

Every Hoosier is welcome to participate in ProPEL Indy. We want to hear from people across the region—with a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and opinions on how to move forward. By the end of the study, ProPEL Indy will have gathered feedback from local residents, neighborhoods, businesses, schools, religious leaders, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and more.

What is the schedule of ProPEL Indy?

ProPEL Indy is a 2-year transportation study. There will be numerous listening sessions, community conversations, engineering analyses, and engagement activities in 2023 and 2024. All of the findings and recommendations from the ProPEL Indy study will then be published in the second quarter of 2025.

What has the study team heard so far?

As of February 1, ProPEL Indy has received more than 1,000 comments from several hundred stakeholders. We are carefully considering and assessing all your bold ideas.

How will my feedback be used in ProPEL Indy?

Your feedback is critical to the success of ProPEL Indy. We will use your ideas and input alongside data analyzed by the study team to determine what investments will improve our interstates and enhance your quality of life. All of your thoughts and feedback will be considered alongside safety, mobility, equity, and sustainability needs to determine the best possible solution for our community.

What will happen once this study is complete?

Once complete, ProPEL Indy will recommend a variety of improvements that work together to modernize our interstates. This plan will create a long-term vision for the future of Indianapolis that balances bold ideas with sound engineering and responsible financial management.