Little Flower Neighborhood Installed Traffic Barriers

Residents placed jersey barriers on East 10th Street to improve safety for pedestrians and local shoppers.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Civic Engagement

Isometric editorial illustration of a concrete traffic barrier on a residential street, representing neighborhood safety infrastructure. — Residents of the Little Flower neighborhood in Indianapolis installed concrete barriers on East 10th Street to deter speeding and increase pedestrian safety. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you support neighborhood groups installing their own traffic calming barriers to slow speeding cars?

The Little Flower neighborhood in Indianapolis installed jersey barriers at the intersection of East 10th Street and Bosart Avenue. The permitted project aims to slow speeding cars and boost foot traffic for local businesses.

Why it matters

The neighborhood group hopes to mitigate risks posed by cars traveling at speeds of 40 to 50 mph. These traffic calming efforts aim to replicate safety improvements previously seen in other parts of the city.

The initiative reduced travel lanes from four to two at the intersection. Officials note that unauthorized removal of these permitted barriers is a crime.

The players

Indy DPW

The Indianapolis Department of Public Works is the municipal agency responsible for managing city streets and issuing traffic permits.

The details

The community-led project involves narrowing the street to encourage slower driving and adding public artwork to the barriers. While the city permitted the installation, an unidentified person moved the barriers shortly after they were placed.

April 2026: Traffic calming measures were installed on 16th Street at the Monon Trail.
September 19-20, 2026: Jersey barriers were installed on East 10th Street.
September 27, 2026: A public event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon to add artwork to the barriers.

Political Context

Opponents of similar projects often raise concerns about vehicle congestion and potential delays for emergency services. Some local advocates argue these barriers prioritize aesthetic changes over proven engineering solutions.

Drivers in the Little Flower area should prepare for narrowed lanes and reduced travel speeds along East 10th Street. Residents and shoppers can expect a shift in traffic patterns as the city continues to study the impact of these measures on vehicle speed.

The takeaway

Neighborhood-led infrastructure projects serve as a tool for communities to reclaim street space for pedestrians. Residents interested in similar changes should coordinate with city departments to ensure all installations remain legally permitted.