(MIRROR INDY) — Standing by a pocket park that used to be a gas station on the north side, James Whitfield reflected on how his neighborhood has changed.

Whitfield, 77, moved to Highland Vicinity more than three decades ago. Back then, the neighborhood was mostly blue-collar families, but the demographics shifted as investors and more affluent families began buying and fixing up older homes.

As president of the neighborhood association, a post he’s held for the past 18 years — “Nobody wants the job, so I keep getting volunteered” — Whitfield helps organize cleanups and keeps residents informed about changes happening in the area, the latest of which is traffic-related.

The Department of Public Works is converting parts of 29th and 30th streets to two-way traffic as part of an effort to make the area more pedestrian-friendly. Changes will be near neighborhood assets such as the little park at 29th and Capital Avenue as well as large attractions like the Children’s Museum.

The $14 million project will include street resurfacing, sidewalk improvements and traffic calming elements, as well as a protected bike lane on 30th Street.

It comes as cities throughout the country have been converting one-way roads that act as mini highways for commuters back into slower-moving, easier-to-navigate neighborhood streets.

Whitfield isn’t necessarily opposed to the project, but he and many of his neighbors feel they weren’t properly informed — that a decision was made for them without their feedback.

“We didn’t even have input before it was already laid out,” Whitfield said.

A DPW spokesperson said the department held an open house in December 2021 and has been speaking publicly about the project to news outlets and on social media platforms. City engineers began presenting the concept to neighborhood organizations last year, including Highland Vicinity, Crown Hill and the Riverside Civic League.

Why the changes?

The two-way conversion project is part of a larger citywide effort to make neighborhoods across Indianapolis safer and more accommodating to pedestrians and cyclists — in line with city policies around Vision Zero and Complete Streets.

A roughly 2.5-mile stretch of 29th Street is slated for conversion, beginning at the White River on the west end and ending at Central Avenue in Mapleton-Fall Creek.

This section of 29th is classified as a high injury network by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization. Since 2018, there have been 18 crashes involving serious injuries. Two of them were fatal.

A 2-mile section of 30th between the White River, right by the recently completed 30th Street bridge, and Meridian Street, will also be converted to two-way traffic.

Some residents are worried that the changes will lead to traffic congestion and increased crashes due to driver confusion.

“I think it’s going to cause a lot of accidents,” said Tonya Elliott, who recently formed a neighborhood watch group.

“For the elderly, it’ll be a little confusing,” said Gina Martin, who also lives in the neighborhood. “I know my husband will probably be like, ‘Wait a minute, what’s going on here?’”

The two-way conversion is the first of two major traffic projects coming to the area. The city also plans to convert Illinois Street and Capitol Avenue to two-way traffic between 21st and 38th streets.

Whitfield thinks the traffic changes will be “a major problem” for the Children’s Museum parking garage, which is located near the corner of 30th and Illinois streets. Right now, pedestrians cross one-way Illinois street to get from surface parking or the garage to the museum.

A museum spokesperson said it is in ongoing conversations with city officials to “understand the potential implications and timing of the proposed changes, with a continued focus on safety and accessibility for our visitors and the surrounding neighborhood.”

DPW spokesperson Kyle Bloyd said the project will enhance east-west connectivity between neighborhoods across the Riverside, near northwest side and Midtown areas.

“Restoring the streets back to two-way traffic will create a more balanced street network that calms traffic, supports transit operations, enhances pedestrian and bicycle access, and empowers local business activity,” Bloyd said.

What’s next?

Construction on 29th and 30th streets is expected to start in April at the western end of the project, between Riverside Drive and the I-65 interchange, and continue east until the project is completed. Indy DPW expects to finish by fall 2027.

Other city thoroughfares slated for two-way conversions include:

• Pennsylvania Street from I-65 to Fall Creek Parkway South Drive
• Delaware Street from I-65 to Fall Creek Parkway South Drive
• Alabama Street from Washington Street to Michigan Street
• New Jersey Street from Washington Street to Michigan Street
• East Street from Washington Street to 10th Street
• College Avenue from Virginia Avenue to Market Street

Work on those projects is expected to start in 2028 and last until 2032.

Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.

Peter Blanchard covers local government. Reach him at 317-605-4836 or peter.blanchard@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @peterlblanchard.