Indianapolis passes $120M bond for infrastructure

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis is set to receive an injection of funding to repair the city’s infrastructure. 

On Monday night, the City-County Council approved a bond for $120 million.

But city leaders said the repairs might not be focused on long-discussed potholes. Instead, other needs must be addressed, including repairs and improvements to bridges, sidewalks, traffic signals and streets. 

The intersection where 21st and Dearborn streets meet and where Massachusetts Avenue branches north is expected to be part of those improvements. 

“This intersection is mayhem and everybody doesn’t know what to do when they get here,” said Sammie Horton, who has lived next to the intersection for six years.   

“Two of the intersections don’t have to stop. Two of them do. A lot of people don’t know that they do have to. A lot of people don’t care,” he said.    

Horton said it’s common for multiple cars to be in the intersection at the same time. He estimated he’s seen at least 30 crashes in six years.     

He’s glad the city will be looking at this intersection and has some advice for those who will work on it.

“More instructions as to who has the right-of-way and who does not,” he said.    

Some of these projects will last at least 50 years, far beyond the end of the $120 million loan.     

Councilor Zach Adamson explained why it’s important for projects to last beyond the debt being paid off. He compared it to having a car loan: You don’t want a 40-year car loan because you’ll be paying off that car even after you stop using it. He said it is crucial to avoid that pitfall in infrastructure financing, too. 

To see a complete list of projects to be financed, click here.