REA has served as a technical consultant to the Rethink 65/70 Coalition since its inception in 2017, providing urban design, transportation planning, redevelopment, and best practice advisory services. The existing elevated highway design wastes valuable land, disrupts neighborhood connectivity, and contributes to significant noise pollution. Our work has focused on helping the Coalition develop, visualize, and advance a new vision for the downtown inner loop that balances cost, transportation, and safety with inclusive economic development, connectivity, and quality of life considerations.
In 2020, the Coalition engaged global engineering and transportation planning firm, Arup, to prepare the Inner Loop Visionary Study, a year-long comparative analysis of the rebuild-as-is and recessed highway alternatives. REA served as a subconsultant to Arup, providing local knowledge, coordination, data collection, and technical drawing assistance. REA then prepared an executive summary and presentation of the study’s findings for use in a comprehensive community conversation conducted by the Indy Chamber and Rethink.
REA also prepared a series of before-and-after visualizations informed by the study’s findings to illustrate the transformative benefits of Rethink’s recessed and compressed highway concept. These visualizations showcase how the project will foster inclusive economic development, enhance community connectivity and mobility, and provide accessible greenspaces.
The proposed design not only aims to offer drivers a safer and more efficient highway experience but also promises to significantly improve the quality of life for local residents. They will benefit from newly interconnected neighborhoods that strengthen community bonds, enjoy expanded green spaces and developable land that offer recreational and aesthetic value, contributing to a more cohesive and vibrant urban environment.