What’s happening: The City of Fort Wayne and Allen County were both awarded grants this week from
the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program. The City of Fort Wayne was awarded $23.2 million and Allen County was awarded $400,000.
Fort Wayne’s project: According to a press release from city officials, the grant will help fund the removal of an at-grade railroad crossing via the reconstruction of roughly 2,500 feet of the Airport Expressway. The reconstruction area will feature an overpass with retention walls and sloped banks in the railroad right of way. Officials explain the project’s goal is to improve safety and eliminate traffic delays caused by the crossing.
The City of Fort Wayne’s grant will cover 80% of the Airport Expressway Grade Project. The other 20% ($5.8 million) will be paid for via local resources according to officials.
The City Council must approve the grant, which the press release says will happen later this year. Design, environmental work, land acquisitions and other preparation work will start in the next few years. Construction for this project is estimated to begin in 2027 and end in 2028.
What they’re saying: “We’re looking forward to making the needed improvements along Airport Expressway. The Public Works Division is committed to providing a safe and efficient transportation system for residents, neighborhoods, and businesses. This project will have a lasting and meaningful impact.” -Patrick Zaharako, city engineer. “
Allen County’s project: According
to a press release from the Allen County Board of Commissioners, the awarded grant money will allow the county to evaluate options for improving what is an at-grade crossing of Norfolk Southern Railway (NSR) and Scott Road. The evaluation will decide if an over- or under-pass is feasible for the crossing.
The study of the area will take into consideration vehicle connectivity and safety as well as trail systems, with the goal of tying the new Bass Road Trail to networks along Illinois Road and the Covington area.
The grant covers 80% of the project. The other 20% will be covered by the county. County officials have named this project the C.R.O.S.S. (Comprehensive Rail Overpass Safety Strategy) Scott Road Project and say they will pursue other grants for the design and construction phases of the project.
What they’re saying: “The NSR bisects the main north-south corridor on the west side of the county delaying school and business travel but also forcing the long detour of emergency service vehicles. The daily commute for anyone traveling Scott Road is significantly impacted by this road/rail intersection.” -Bill Hartman, Allen County highway director.
Why it’s important: Although the changes to railroad crossing infrastructure are not immediate, these changes will provide a better quality of life for those who frequently travel through the Airport Expressway and Scott Road areas.
More about the program: The program provides funding for “highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods.” In total 123 grants were awarded across the nation. The City of Fort Wayne received the largest grant out of the six grants awarded in Indiana.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.