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Council committee clears $3.4 million in street, lighting and tree contracts; railroad underpass lighting prioritized
Summary
Fort Wayne Common Council public works committee recommended passage of three 2025 work orders — $650,000 for downtown railroad underpass lighting, a $2.5 million right-of-way concrete package and a $250,000 tree removal contract — with an explanation of scope, locations and the need to suspend rules because of long lead times for lighting.
The Fort Wayne Common Council’s Public Works Committee on Aug. 26 recommended passage of three construction and service contracts totaling up to $3,400,000, including a $650,000 program to add white flood- and down-lighting under multiple railroad bridges to improve pedestrian safety.
Committee chair Councilwoman Raleigh Booker said the three items were read into the record and were voted to be introduced, discussed and placed on passage in the same meeting after the council approved a suspension of rules necessary because the contracts are time-sensitive.
Nick Jerrell of the city’s Right of Way Department told the committee the $650,000 railroad-elevation beautification contract with Kissinger Electric is for lighting only. Jerrell said the lighting package will cover multiple downtown underpasses — including Harrison Street, Fairfield, Hannah Street, South Anthony and several trail crossings under the Martin Luther King Jr. corridor — and that the city separated the lighting bid because of “large lead time for the amount of lighting.” He said the lighting will be white fixtures intended to make underpasses “glow” so pedestrians feel safer crossing.
Council members discussed related steps the city can take beyond lighting. Jerrell said step two will be vegetation removal on bridge tops and step three could include artist-led plantings or other aesthetic improvements. Councilman Dan Paddock and others flagged Harrison Street and connections to the urban trail and the city’s East-side neighborhoods as priorities.
The committee also recommended passage of a $2,500,000 right-of-way miscellaneous package (Key Concrete Inc.) described as work across all six council districts to repair sidewalks, ADA ramps, curbs and medians that have been on public-works lists since 2022, and a separate $250,000 tree-removal package (Works Companies) to support public-works projects and brush/tree removal tied to infrastructure work.
Jerrell said he had asked Norfolk Southern and other railroads to contribute to the underpass lighting but received no financial support. Council members said the work addresses pedestrian safety and trail connectivity and that separating the lighting, concrete and tree contracts was intended to maximize efficiency.
In committee the suspension of rules passed 7-0 and the committee issued a “do pass” recommendation for all three measures. The ordinances were later placed on the council’s passage calendar and passed by the full council the same evening.
Looking ahead, Jerrell said lighting installations will require railroad approvals for some structural items but noted the city plans to do what it can without full reconstruction approvals in the near term — for example, to address trip hazards with in-house repairs where possible.
