City cuts ribbon on Time Corners improvement project

Changes at Time Corners Drive Economy, Safety and Air Quality

Mayor Tom Henry, Public Works Director Bob Kennedy and Councilman Mitch Harper cut the ribbon on the Time Corners traffic improvement project

One of Fort Wayne's ten most dangerous traffic areas is safer today and the economy got a boost during the process. The Time Corners traffic improvement project is completed

Because the reconstruction addressed safety and emission concerns the city was able to seek special funding for the project.

Approximately $1.1 million from federal HES (Hazard Elimination and Safety) Funds
Approximately $1.4 million from federal CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program)
Approximately $600,000 from federal Urban fund
Approximately $500,000 from the City of Fort Wayne

“That's a tremendous boost to our economy. When you consider that the City's portion of the project was only 500 thousand and yet more than 700 thousand dollars came back to the community through contractor's local wages. That's a win-win for all of us,” said Mayor Tom Henry.

Local contractors and subcontractors were used for the project and nearly 150 people were employed during the reconstruction of the Time Corners intersections.

Construction began in February of this year and today Mayor Tom Henry dedicated the project at Time Corners.

“As the population has grown this area has become extremely congested and we've had numerous accidents. The directional improvements we've made to Jefferson Boulevard, Covington and Getz Road are making the intersections at Time Corners safer,” said Mayor Henry.

It's a project long in the works with studies dating back to the late 1980's. Rapid growth in Aboite has seen traffic increase to nearly 60,000 cars per day at the intersections of Covington Road, Jefferson Boulevard and Getz Road.

“These improvements are a great example of government solving problems. As drivers, we all know the nightmares of the congestion at Time Corners. In recent years there have been more than 170 accidents a year in area of Getz, Covington and West Jefferson,” said Bob Kennedy, Director of Public Works. “It was our obligation and our commitment to make things safer and this project will definitely make a difference,” added Kennedy.

Besides making the intersections safer, the work will help air quality too. Motorists often spent minutes idling and sitting through a traffic signal rotation more than once.

“The changes made to Covington Road where it now flows into Jefferson Boulevard increase storage capacity for those cars waiting at the light. Before only about 12 cars could wait in the small section of road on Getz to turn east on the Jefferson. Now those motorists will use Covington and approximately 28 cars can wait at the light to turn east on Jefferson,” said Dave Ross, City Engineer.

The Time Corners project included traffic flow improvements in the following areas:

Realignment of the intersection of Jefferson Boulevard and Covington Road, making the section of Covington Road between Jefferson and Getz Road two-way.
Elimination of the left turn from southbound Getz to Jefferson. Drivers now use the new two-way Covington Road to Jefferson.
Getz now has two through lanes and a left-turn lane in each direction at the intersection of Getz and Covington.
Westbound Covington onto Getz now has a dedicated right turn lane.
Both directions of Jefferson now have dedicated turn lanes onto Getz.
The Time Corners shopping center as a new east entrance off of Jefferson with a traffic signal allowing for both right- and left-turn entrances.
A new curbed median with grass in the middle on Jefferson.
A new sidewalk on the east side of Getz.
New lighting, curbs and gutters at all intersections.