INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis City-County Council overwhelmingly approved "No Turn on Red" bans for several areas in the city, with a handful of councilors saying they were behind the measure after some of their constituents were killed in crashes.
Drivers around Indianapolis can expect to see the words "No Turn on Red" at several intersections in the near future: 22nd and Delaware; Shadeland and 71st; and Palmer and Meridian.
It's a way Councilor John Barth said the City-County Council could make the streets safer.
"With the recent increase on reckless driving, my constituents have let me know loud and clear, they want the council to take all efforts that we can to make sure pedestrians and cyclists are as safe as they can possibly be," said Barth, D-District 7.
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works will also review an area that has boundaries made up of 11th Street/Oscar Robertson Boulevard and 10th Street, along with White River Parkway West Drive, Interstate I-70, and Interstate I-65.
Going forward, DPW won't need council's approval to add more "No Turn on Red" restrictions.
Council also voted Monday to add more areas of the city for DPW to consider for additional "No Turn on Red" bans. Those areas include: North Meridian, Garfield Park, West and East 38th Streets, East Washington and Downtown, all considered "Pedestrian Safety Zones" by the city.
The zones were identified in 2018 using crash data.
Councilors who voted for the "No Turn On Red" bans said they're necessary because of reckless drivers and vulnerable pedestrians.
"To save lives, basically, those who lose their lives or are handicapped or paralyzed or in some way disabled behind it as well," said Councilor La Keisha Jackson, D-District 14.
Monday's vote by the City-County Council comes even after the Indiana General Assembly passed a law this session that would prevent cities from passing "No Turn On Red" bans.
City officials said the state's legislative services agency told them that the new law takes effect on July 1, which means the City-County Council passed "No Turn on Red" with just a few weeks to spare.
There's no word on how quickly the "No Turn On Red" signs could go up or when DPW could make decisions on whether other intersections need signs.
Hotel development approved
Councilors also approved a proposal to issue bonds to the tune of $625 million to fund the project that would include an 800-room hotel and an expanded convention center connected to that hotel.
Visit Indy called the expansion vital to continuing to attract conventions to Indianapolis.
"Today’s vote will help protect and expand the 83,000 hospitality jobs in our community. It will increase business across our tourism economy and secure our spot as one of the top host cities in the country," Mayor Joe Hogsett said in a statement. "Instead of sliding backwards through complacency, we are building a stronger, more vibrant downtown."