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Fort Wayne Approves $37 Million Infrastructure Plan for 2026
City and utilities advance road, sewer and expressway work with final approvals and design steps this week.
How we reported this
Fort Wayne is investing $37 million in neighborhood infrastructure enhancements for 2026, including $28.4 million for streets, roads and bridges, $4.8 million for sidewalks and alleys, and $3.9 million for trails. City Utilities is launching a separate $135 million investment in water, sewer and storm water projects, described as the largest single-year infrastructure investment in the city's history.
Neighborhood Projects Receive Final Approval
Five specific neighborhood projects totaling $4.685 million received final approval. These include Inwood Drive rehabilitation, scheduled for completion in August 2027, and West Cook Road concrete repairs, set for completion in fall 2026. The approvals reflect ongoing work to address local street conditions across multiple areas.
Airport Expressway and Corridor Designs Advance
An $29 million Airport Expressway project to replace an at-grade crossing with an overpass is planned, with federal funds covering $23.2 million and construction expected to finish by 2029. DLZ is completing design work for the next phases of corridor improvements along Goshen Road. City Utilities is advancing consolidation sewer projects on Superior, Brown, and Camp Allen streets.
The combined efforts mark a concentrated push on both neighborhood-scale fixes and larger utility and arterial upgrades. The $37 million neighborhood allocation covers a range of surface improvements while the $135 million utility package targets water, sewer and storm water systems. Specific project timelines, such as the fall 2026 completion for West Cook Road repairs and the 2029 target for the Airport Expressway overpass, provide measurable milestones for residents tracking progress.
Work on Goshen Road corridor designs and the three named sewer consolidation projects is moving through the design and planning stages. These steps follow the recent final approvals for the five neighborhood projects and align with the overall 2026 construction season preparations. City staff and consultants continue to refine scopes and schedules for the approved work.
Next phases will focus on moving approved projects into construction and completing remaining design tasks on the Goshen Road corridor and sewer consolidation efforts. Updates on bidding and contractor selection are expected as the 2026 season approaches.