Public Works Division gives update to City Council on condition of streets and roads

City of Fort Wayne Public Works Director Shan Gunawardena this evening gave a presentation to City Council on the condition of streets and roads in the community.

News release from the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana:

Public Works Division gives update to City Council on condition of streets and roads
Ratings show improvements as proactive investments continue to be made

Fort Wayne, Indiana (June 2, 2026) – City of Fort Wayne Public Works Director Shan Gunawardena this evening gave a presentation to City Council on the condition of streets and roads in the community.

Under Mayor Sharon Tucker’s leadership, the City is investing $37 million in neighborhood infrastructure enhancements this year. Since 2014, the City has invested more than $419 million in neighborhood infrastructure upgrades.

Highlights from Gunawardena’s presentation:

• The City is responsible for 1,174 centerline miles of streets/roads with 71% being asphalt and 20% being concrete. Brick streets and chip and seal streets make up a small portion.
• The City uses a Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating system (PASER) to rate the conditions of streets and roads. One is considered the worst, with 10 being the best.
• The City now uses a blend of AI technology and visual inspections by staff as part of the evaluation process.
• Ratings have improved over the past several years due to investments in street reconstruction and rehabilitation, milling and resurfacing, crack sealing, and overlaying chip and seal streets with asphalt. In 2026, the average rating citywide for asphalt is 5.58 and concrete is 6.04.
• The average cost of improvements per centerline mile from 2020-2025 for neighborhood concrete streets is $1.6 million, asphalt resurfacing is $295,000, and arterial street reconstruction and rehabilitation is $3.65 million.
• The expense to fix all streets rated three or worse in 2026 would range from $93 million to $214 million.
• The expense to fix all streets rated six or worse in 2026 would range from $424 million to $881 million.
• The City has made a concerted effort to improve alleys, with 18 miles of work completed since 2016.

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