The City of Fort Wayne invites residents to attend a public meeting for an overview of the Airport Expressway Grade Separation Improvements Project on November 4, 2026.
City of Fort Wayne Indiana news release:
Public Meeting: Airport Expressway Improvements Project
Fort Wayne, Indiana (October 26, 2026) – The City of Fort Wayne invites residents to attend a public meeting for an overview of the Airport Expressway Grade Separation Improvements Project.
The meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 4 in the Omni Room, located in the basement of Citizens Square, 200 East Berry Street.
During the meeting, a team from Public Works will discuss an overview of why the project is needed, proposed improvements to address those needs and the next steps for the proposed project.
The Airport Expressway Grade Separation Improvements Project will eliminate the railroad crossing at Norfolk Southern’s Crossing 478051H by constructing a new overpass and rebuilding approximately 2,500 feet of Airport Expressway between Airport Drive and east of the Harber Drain bridge. This busy four‑lane divided roadway carries more than 20,000 vehicles per day, including school buses, commercial trucks, and drivers traveling to nearby employers and the Fort Wayne International Airport. Removing the at‑grade crossing will improve safety, reduce traffic delays from the 15 daily trains, and support growing travel demand in the area.
The project replaces the existing rail crossing with a single‑span concrete bridge and reconstructs the Harber Drain bridge to increase water‑flow capacity and reduce flood‑related closures. Currently, frequent train activity causes traffic to stop unexpectedly, contributing to crashes, idling emissions, and unpredictable travel times. Between 2019 and 2023, 17 crashes in this area were attributed to vehicles queueing for trains, many involving multiple vehicles and occurring during clear daytime conditions. The new overpass will remove this conflict point entirely.
These improvements also support major economic and community assets. The corridor serves the Amazon inbound cross‑dock facility, BAE Systems, Fort Wayne Metals, WaterFurnace, Coca‑Cola, and other employers that rely on efficient access for thousands of workers. It also provides a direct connection to the site of a new IU Health Fort Wayne Hospital opening in 2027. Eliminating train delays will help first responders, patients, and employees reach essential services more reliably.
Beyond safety and mobility benefits, the project will reduce vehicle emissions by removing the need for hundreds of vehicles per day to stop, idle, and accelerate. Updated drainage capacity at the Harber Drain will also increase resilience during heavy rainfall events. Together, these improvements support long‑term sustainability, strengthen the national STRACNET rail defense corridor, and enhance quality of life for nearby neighborhoods and travelers across southwest Fort Wayne.
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