Press release from the City of Fort Wayne:
Nearly $4 million of Recovery Act funds to resurface more than 10 miles of major city streets, improve trail network
Work to start in spring on projects that will retain 100 local jobs
Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry announced today about $3 million of federal stimulus funds will pay for 10.64 miles of pavement milling and resurfacing on major City streets in 2010. The Indiana Department of Transportation let the projects earlier this month, which came in at an average of 33 percent below engineering estimates, and will retain or create about 100 jobs with local contractors.
With a focus on major thoroughfares, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-funded resurfacing projects for this construction season are:
- West Jefferson Boulevard from west of Lutheran Hospital’s entrance to east of the Illinois Road intersection
- East State Boulevard between North Anthony Boulevard to Coliseum Boulevard
- East Rudisill Boulevard between Calhoun Street and South Anthony Boulevard, including the addition of bike lanes
- Wayne and Berry streets between Broadway and Coombs Street, including the addition of bike lanes
- Washington Boulevard from Broadway to Clay Street, and
- Jefferson Boulevard between Calhoun to Clay.
“This is more than a resurfacing project; it’s an economic development project. Having quality infrastructure attracts and retains employers and their jobs,” said Mayor Henry. “These roads carry between 3,000 to more than 32,000 vehicles every day, connecting neighborhoods to key destinations. Visitors to a city are often acutely aware of pavement conditions, so by having new pavement on these key streets, we are creating a positive experience for visitors and residents alike.”
In addition to the pavement resurfacing projects, two trail projects are also receiving funding. The funds will replace the wooden decking on seven Rivergreenway boardwalks, ranging in 15 to 35 years in age. The wood boards will be replaced with the vinyl DeckLok system that will reduce or eliminate splinters, scratches, fading, decay, loose boards and slick conditions when wet.
Providing connectivity to existing trails, local contractor Brooks Construction will build a half-mile, 8-foot-wide trail along Covington Road between Scott Road and Sycamore Hills Drive.
The total cost of the pavement and trail projects is $3.8 million, completely funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
To be eligible for the ARRA funding, the projects had to meet specific criteria including no other funding source identified and working within existing right-of-way. The resurfacing projects were part of the $9.3 million allocated to the Northeast Indiana Regional Coordinating Council to be divided among the City, Allen County and New Haven. The trails’ money came from separate enhancement funding. Additional ARRA transportation projects will be let in January and February.
“I commend the City’s Public Works staff for their dedication to identify and submit eligible projects. It was no easy task to maximize this important federal funding that allows the City to repave roads that would otherwise forgo improvements this year,” Mayor Henry said. “The trail improvements and construction continue Fort Wayne’s commitment to active transportation infrastructure.”
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