Council approves $23M federal grant, plus city share, for Airport Expressway grade separation

The Fort Wayne Common Council voted unanimously to accept a $23 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration and approve the city’s share for an Airport Expressway grade-separation project.

Council President Marty Bender and Public Works Chair Michelle Chambers said the project will raise Airport Expressway roughly 23 feet above the adjacent Norfolk Southern tracks and replace the bridge over Harbor Drain. City Engineer Patrick Zaharico told the council the grant is structured as an 80/20 federal match and that the railroad is required by law to contribute 5% of construction costs: "80% is federal, the remaining 20% I'm anticipating 15% from the city and the remaining 5% from the railroad."

Zaharico said the bulk of the $23 million is construction cost and that the project will likely require additional design work, right-of-way acquisitions and a construction window that could start in 2028 or 2029 with hoped-for completion by 2033. He cautioned there will be a construction shutdown during building work and estimated "probably going to be for about a year or more," and that formal detour plans will be announced as design advances.

Council members emphasized traffic-safety benefits and congestion relief. Several members noted trains have stopped traffic for up to 15 minutes at times and that elevating the roadway will reduce those delays and related safety risks. The committee moved a "do pass" recommendation in Public Works and the item passed in the regular session by a 9–0 vote.

The next steps: final design and right-of-way work will continue in coordination with the railroad and the Board of Public Works, then the city will present construction-detour plans when available.