Road Improvements Boost Economy
The finishing touches are complete and traffic is flowing on St. Joe Center Road. The two year construction project improves traffic flow, safety and connectivity.
“This project is a definite improvement for the neighborhoods along St. Joe Center Road. It eliminates the traffic back-ups that used to occur in the area and it improves safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists,” said Mayor Tom Henry.
The St. Joe Center Road widening project includes the area from the St. Joe River, west, to Reed Road, east. The new road has four traffic lanes, an increase over the two lanes for the previous road. A center bi-directional left turn lane was added between the intersections of St. Joe Road to Saw Mill Woods. More than 17,000 motorists use the road daily.
A new storm sewer system was installed and the road elevation was lowered to improve drainage. Safety concerns were addressed for pedestrians with the addition of sidewalks and ADA ramps on both sides of the street. The project included driveway construction improvements, street lights, curbs, gutters and traffic control signal upgrades.
Investment Flows into Local Economy
80% of the $7.9 million dollar project was funded with Federal Urban Fund dollars. The City's investment was about $1.6 million but the return on that investment for the local economy was more than $3.2 million. That's money that came back into the community in the form of salaries paid to construction workers in the two year project period.
“That's tremendous in this time of an economic downturn. Not only are we making neighborhoods better but we're employing local workers and putting money into the local economy,” said Mayor Henry.
The Public Works Department will complete more than 40 miles of repair and construction on Fort Wayne roads this year.
Corridors Connect Community
Major corridors that connect our City's neighborhoods, such as St. Joe Center Road, are significant to the community's connectivity.
“Linking neighborhoods is essential to a thriving community and the area along the St. Joe Center Road corridor is certainly a vital part of our community,” said Bob Kennedy, Director of Public Works.
Corridor improvements occurred last year on West Jefferson Boulevard near Time Corners and are currently underway or planned on Wayne Trace, Ardmore and State.