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Council committee backs $9.1 million Illinois Road trail and road contract
Summary
City staff told the committee the Illinois Road project will add a nearly 2-mile trail, roadway resurfacing and safety features; funding includes a $1 million DNR grant, $6.2 million from the Redevelopment Commission TIF and private donations. Committee recommended passage unanimously.
The Fort Wayne Common Council committee on Tuesday recommended passage of an ordinance approving a $9,097,944.04 construction contract with Bunn Excavating Inc. to build the Illinois Road Trail and make road improvements.
City Engineer Patrick Zaharico told the committee the project will add a nearly 2-mile off‑road trail, redo pavement, add curbs and crosswalks and widen sections of Illinois Road to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety. Don Ritchie, the city’s trails manager, said the trail will connect to existing networks and add ties to the Towpath Trail, Ardmore Avenue Trail, River Greenway and other connectors.
The presenters said funding is layered: a $1,000,000 Next Level Trails grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, $6,200,000 from the city’s Redevelopment Commission (East Illinois TIF), donated funds from Fort Wayne Trails (including contributions from O’Daniel Automotive Group, Best-1 and McMahon Tire) and local city funds of just under $2,000,000 spread over 2025–2027. Ritchie told the council one donated right-of-way was valued at about $15,000. City staff said about 531 employers and more than 8,000 workers are within a half‑mile of the corridor and nearly 3,400 residents live within a mile.
Council members asked about schedule and disruption; Zaharico said construction is expected to begin in early spring, run about two years and be phased into five segments to limit corridor‑wide disruption. The presenters said the city controls this section of road and the project is locally administered.
After questions about TIF balances and budget timing, the committee moved and seconded a due‑pass recommendation; the clerk recorded a unanimous due‑pass recommendation (7 in favor). The matter will proceed to the full council for final action.
