The controversial IndyGo Red Line Bus Rapid Transit $75M Small Starts grant was received from the Feds so construction can begin on the line which will run from 66th Street south to downtown and beyond.

While construction is anticipated to begin within the next 45 days, IndyGo will start on the southern portion of the route.

Per Bryan Luellen of IndyGo: "We don't have solid dates yet. Working with the contractor on specific timeline-all of that will come out as soon as we have a groundbreaking date set. Best guess at this point is early next year."

Meanwhile, no need to wait. The #17 and #18 IndyGo routes already run downtown from the Ripple several times an hour. Fare is just $1.75.

The Broad Ripple Park outdoor pool opens June 2 (sadly after Memorial Day). The pool will unfortunately close on August 5. This year's hours for the pool will be: Sat. 12-5P, Sun. 12-5P, Mon. Closed, Tues. 11A-6P, Wed. 11A-6P, Thurs. 11A-6P, Fri. 11A-5P. They also offer swim lessons and will host a swim team. For details go to www.indy.gov/parks.

Special events include:

June 8, 2018 - Water Safety Day from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Stay for the water safety lesson and swim for free the rest of the day.

June 30, 2018 - Pack the Parks 12 to 5 p.m. with special programming and activities.

As I have previously noted, the future of the outdoor pool is in jeopardy. IndyParks is considering shuttering the current outdoor pool with implementation of its new master plan for the park. (Yes an indoor pool or a splash park are being considered. But the current outdoor pool would be closed and another outdoor pool is not in any of the planning. While it is not final, the writing is on the wall.)

Send your feedback to IndyParks if, like me, you think this is the wrong way to go. There are too few outdoor pools in our city as it is. Many city children get their lessons at the current pool. Yes, it may need repairs and it is a hassle to find life guards, but this is no solution.

For details and to give feedback on this matter, go to www.broadrippleparkmasterplan.com and be sure and email them if you have a view on your vision for the Park.

Unlike IndyParks, the Library has no public comment process for selection of a new location for the Glendale Branch Library. However, they told me you can email your comments to Library CEO Jackie Nytes (jnytes@indypl.org) or Board President Joann Sanders (jmsanders@msn.com).

I suggest you tell them to move the Library back to the Broad Ripple Village to make it a local, pedestrian friendly experience rather than their "COSTCO" model which requires driving and a lot of parking.

A reader asked me to follow up on the new sobriety check points being held week end nights in the Village.

Apparently, both drivers and bicyclists were pulled over and arrested on a recent weekend night by IMPD. The check point was at the Flanner and Buchanan parking lot across from Weaver's. Drivers and bicyclists were checked for sobriety. Some bicyclists were apparently arrested and their bicycles confiscated according to one reader.

IMPD's Captain Fredrick S. Ilnicki issued the following statement in response: "Check points are not always in the same place. They are decided upon depending on crash data and complaint data. Any checkpoint that occurs is predicated with a media release before the checkpoint occurs. That is the standard the courts have ruled upon to make them legal. Bicycles are considered vehicles and therefore fall under the DUI laws as well. The term "sting" implies, to me, that officers are going out of their way to find something to lock people up on. Our officers are only enforcing the laws on the books, as they would for any other neighborhood within the county."

So don't drink and drive (or bike ride) in the Ripple.

I hope to hear from any bicyclists who were arrested. Does the .08 standard apply? Was your bike returned?

Toronto makes a great weekend. The city of almost 4 million rivals New York City. The most diverse (and inclusive) city in the world offers much to do - Ripley's Aquarium, a ferry out to the Toronto Island for a swim in Lake Ontario, shopping (your dollar is worth $1.28 against the Loonie), and more.

The new train to the airport takes just 25 minutes and costs $7.

You won't need a car thanks to the great transit and walkability of the city.

Try the Ramada Plaza or Comfort Inn - or save even more by renting a summer dorm room from Ryerson University or the University of Toronto.

Lunch at the historic St. Lawrence Market is a must. Try the juice bar downstairs or a smoked meat sandwich "Montreal style".

Read my full column at www.windycitytimes.com (see Features, see Travel).