Yesterday evening, Fort Wayne’s Public Works Division hosted a public meeting regarding the upcoming reconstruction of the Bluffton Road Bridge. At least a few dozen people attended, including several area neighborhood leaders, 5th District City Councilman Geoff Paddock, City staff, local media, and a team of experts from USI Consultants.
The slideshow from the presentation will be posted on the City of Fort Wayne website in the near future. In the meantime, below are some key highlights, takeaways, and photos from the meeting.
TIMELINE
[all should be considered tentative and subject to change]
– Planning phases will continue from now through the fall of 2024, including a more formal public hearing, likely in the fall of 2022.
– Bidding is to be completed by December 2024.
– Construction is set to begin in late winter or early spring of 2025 and last through the spring of 2026.
– Construction process includes three phases: the first focuses on reconstructing the southern portion of the bridge’s superstructure, the second focuses on reconstructing the northern portion, and the final phase focuses on repairing the trail that runs underneath the bridge.
TRAFFIC DURING CONSTRUCTION
Because the reconstruction process is happening in multiple phases, at least half of the bridge should be available for vehicular traffic throughout most of the construction process. This will allow one lane of traffic in either direction over the bridge. Limited full closures will occur as needed to complete processes that cannot be done without fully closing the bridge to traffic. Rivergreenway traffic will also be slightly rerouted during construction.
KEY CHANGES TO THE BRIDGE
– The superstructure will be replaced. It was constructed in 1986 at a time when technology was changing, and not necessarily for the better. The new superstructure will have a life of 75 years.
– The substructure will be shored up in ways that will extend the life of the bridge.
– The four traffic lanes will be reduced in width from 12 to 11 feet as a way to calm traffic and allow for wider sidewalks.
– The north sidewalk on the bridge will be increased to 8 feet wide.
– The south sidewalk will be increased to 9 feet wide. Both sidewalks will be wide enough to accommodate two lines of pedestrians or cyclists comfortably.
– Both sidewalks will also include semi-circle bump outs above the piers, serving as places to stand out of the way of passing by cyclists or pedestrians or take a pause to admire the view. Seating options are being considered and could be incorporated if the public so desires.
– Decorative lighting will be added, similar to what was used in the redesigned Van Buren Street Bridge.
– Railings (again similar to those on the Van Buren Street Bridge) will be incorporated to allow for maximum visibility while keeping pedestrians protected from the outside edge and the vehicular traffic.
– Lighting will be incorporated underneath the bridge to illuminate the Rivergreenway trail.
– A suggestion was made to add center median tree plantings for 100-200 feet of the bridge’s western approach as a means to calm traffic and add to the aesthetics of the area.
BLUFFTON & BROADWAY INTERSECTION
The current setup of the Bluffton Road and Broadway intersection, featuring various pedestrian islands, will be scrapped in favor of a more traditional, simple design. Changes around this intersection will be designed to increase visibility and provide greater comfort and safety for drivers, walkers, and cyclists alike. The directions of lanes will also be adjusted to achieve similar goals.
SUMMARY
Overall, the plan that seems to incorporate common public sentiments and requests as much as possible, within the natural constraints of public infrastructure projects using federal funds. It seems to be an improvement over the existing bridge in all key measures.
Historic Foster Park Neighborhood 