Today, the Allen County Commissioners and Allen County Surveyor celebrated the completion of an important and extensive infrastructure project in the community of Arcola.
Allen County Board of Commissioners news release:
Allen County Completes Arcola Road and Drainage Project
Allen County, Indiana (November 6, 2025) – Today, the Allen County Commissioners and Allen County Surveyor celebrated the completion of an important and extensive infrastructure project in the community of Arcola.
For years Arcola, a census-designated place on the west side of the county, had been overwhelmed by poor drainage and flooding issues. Allen County Surveyor Mike Fruchey explained that two Regulated Drains, one petitioned by citizens in 1877 and the other petitioned in 1922[1], had been classified as needing reconstruction as early as 1970. When the possibility of ARPA funding emerged, the Surveyor’s Office was asked to prioritize a list of needed stormwater infrastructure projects. According to Fruchey, “Arcola was prioritized due to the public safety risk as these drains traverse across platted lots within Arcola and are below several existing homes and structures that were built between 1890 and 1930.”
Commissioner Rich Beck added that, “This project was really made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. In fact, without those funds, this project might not have been possible for another ten years, 20 years, who knows. Thanks to ARPA, we were able to cover more than 80% of the total cost, with the Highway Department and the Watershed contributing the rest.”
Commissioner Therese Brown shared that, “This was a tremendous collaboration between the Allen County Highway Department and the Allen County Surveyor’s Office. What we see on the surface represents the excellent work of our Highway Department – but beneath the roadways and homes are equally critical improvements: the new tiles and drainage systems that make all this possible.”
In 2020, the County contracted DLZ to complete a study for the Arcola community to outline needed improvements, which included major drainage upgrades to the Mainer Tile and substantial reconstruction for road improvements and sidewalks. The reconstruction of Arcola Road and Center Street was a complete rebuild. Fleming Excavating and their subcontractors lowered the road profile, adding curbs and gutters, installing new storm inlets and sidewalks, and constructing a retaining wall along Center Street.
The stormwater system was reconstructed and rerouted into the public right-of-way. Vacated tile sections were reinforced with an engineered lining treatment and capped when necessary to extend the life of the now private tiles under people’s homes and yards.
The County’s investment in Arcola continues as the Allen County Highway Department started an in-house design to extend the sidewalk all the way to Arcola Elementary School, which sits several blocks to the east of the newly constructed area.
The Commissioner and Surveyor Fruchey noted the patience of the Arcola community while their roads were under construction and detours were in place. Special thanks were given to the Arcola Fire Department, teachers and parents of Arcola Elementary School, and the workers and patrons of the Arcola Post Office.
Commissioner Beck concluded that, “we were committed to using the [ARPA] dollars wisely – to invest in projects that would have the greatest long-term benefit for our communities. And this is a perfect example of that commitment paying off. The patience and cooperation of the Arcola residents made it possible for us to deliver a safer, stronger, and more beautiful community space.”
The Allen County Public Library’s Access Fort Wayne program created several videos that capture the Arcola project progression. They can be found by visiting the County Programs on Access Fort Wayne website.
- When people petition for a regulated drain to be created, it means they are formally requesting their local county drainage board to assume official jurisdiction, responsibility, and permanent maintenance over a drainage system. Learn more in the Allen County Regulated Drain Brochure.
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