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Fort Wayne council approves federally funded Southeast Corridor planning contract
Summary
The Fort Wayne Common Council approved a professional services agreement with Lochmueller Group not to exceed $868,579.27 to fund a federally backed planning study of roughly nine miles of corridors in Southeast Fort Wayne, a step city leaders say is required to pursue future RAISE construction funding.
The Fort Wayne Common Council on Nov. 4 approved a professional services agreement with Lochmueller Group for the 2025 Southeast Corridor planning project, with a not-to-exceed engineering fee of $868,579.27.
Patrick Zaharico, city engineer, told the council the project is 100% federally funded through a U.S. Department of Transportation RAISE planning grant and requires no local match. "This project will study about 9 miles of urban minor arterial corridors in Southeast Fort Wayne," Zaharico said, naming South Anthony, Alding Road, Fairfield and Tillman as corridors under study. He said completing the planning and NEPA work makes Fort Wayne eligible to pursue a future RAISE construction grant that can fund projects up to $25 million.
Council members asked about the timeline and outreach. Zaharico said the planning phase is expected to last about a year, followed by a two-year design phase, and confirmed community development staff will be "fully involved" in outreach and planning. He said the work will evaluate traffic safety, transit access, pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, small-business corridor redevelopment, public art, landscaping and neighborhood revitalization strategies.
In committee the motion received a do-pass recommendation and the ordinance was recorded as passing in the regular session by a 9-0 vote.
The council and city staff said the planning study is intended to improve safety and connectivity in Southeast Fort Wayne and to position the city to seek construction funding in a subsequent phase.
