Bluffton Road Bridge News
Federal funds going to bridges
7 in county set to be replaced
JIM CHAPMAN | The Journal Gazette
Federal dollars will pay at least 80% of the cost to replace seven Allen County bridges over the next five to seven years, officials said Friday.
The Indiana Department of Transportation announced Fort Wayne will receive $5.5 million in federal money to replace the Bluffton Road bridge over the St. Marys River and $958,400 to replace the Goeglein Road bridge over the Bullerman Drain.
Both bridges have weight restrictions.
Frank Suárez, director of public information for the Division of Public Works and City Utilities, said construction for both bridges could begin in 2025.
About 25,000 vehicles a day use the Bluffton Road bridge. The Goeglein Road Bridge serves about 2,700 vehicles per day, he said.
The state transportation department told the Allen County Highway Department this week that $6.6 million in federal money will be awarded to five projects. More federal money might be available to pay for engineering and right of way acquisition costs, county officials said.
Two of the bridge replacement projects are expected to be advertised for bids in late 2023 and 2024, with construction beginning a year to 18 months later. Those projects are:
• The Bluffton Road bridge over Harbor Ditch just south of Winters Road. The total cost of the project, including right-of-way acquisition, is expected to be $2.4 million.
• The Monroeville Road bridge over Hoffman Ditch just west of Fackler Road. That project is estimated to cost $1.7 million.
The three other projects are expected to be advertised for bids in late 2024 or early 2025, with construction expected a year to 18 months later. They are:
• The Amber Road bridge over the Little River near Branning Road. The project is expected to cost $1.2 million.
• The Antwerp Road bridge over the Oberhaltzer Ditch on the west edge of Harlan. The cost is expected to be $1.5 million.
• The Slusher Road bridge over the Edgerton-Carson Ditch just west of Brobst Road. That project is expected to be $3.4 million.
These Are the People in Your Neighborhood: “New American” Style Restaurant to Open at Fairfield and Maxine in May.
New Restaurant to Open at Former Hartley’s Location at Fairfield and Maxine
Folks in the neighborhood were excited last week to hear a new restaurant will be within walking distance of Southwood Park! Here is more information on the subject from today’s newspaper.
KIMBERLY DUPPS TRUESDELL | For The Journal Gazette
At one time, the restaurant space at Fairfield and Maxine avenues was vibrant and full of life. It was home to Hartley’s, a Fort Wayne institution open for 25 years.
However, since Hartley’s closed in 2009, the space has been relatively quiet. Chuck & Bird’s Bistro briefly occupied the building in 2011, and My Grannie’s Table took over 4301 Fairfield Ave. in 2016. But a local couple are set to breathe new life into the building, signing a lease to open a restaurant there this year.
Corey and Amy Bowers will be serving “new American” cuisine with a rotating menu. There will be an emphasis on quality ingredients, sourced as locally as possible.
No stranger to the kitchen, Corey Bowers spent many years in the Chicago culinary scene. He was a sous chef at HB Home Bistro in the Boystown neighborhood, where he was “dishing up inventive New American fare; familiar flavors executed in unfamiliar ways,” according to the Illinois Office of Tourism.
A tentative timeline has the restaurant opening in May.
Additional FWPD Patrols for Detour Route
Last week’s car crash on Lexington Avenue reminded everyone about the volume of traffic Indiana and Lexington carry with the Rudisill detour. There also speeders that stand out from the regular flow of cars and trucks.
The Association requested additional traffic patrols from FWPD. Deputy Chief Haffner has responded and more police cars have been present. Keep your speeds down and don’t be a distracted driver! You’re more likely to be in a traffic stop!
The Association sent another, more insistent request for speed bumps along the detour –
just as we did last summer and fall. The speeding hasn’t improved. The ball is now in City Utilities’ court.
These Are the People in Your Neighborhood: Antonuccio’s Italian Market Opens 11/23/19
We’re glad to see this addition to our neighborhood: Antonuccio’s Italian Market open this Saturday, 11/23/19. Hours: 9am-8pm #antonucciositalianmarket
Take the “Investing in Neighborhoods” Survey!
These Are the People in Your Neighborhood: Health Hut
Meet Dave Thomas – not from Wendy’s – from the new Health Hut on Fairfield Avenue! (You may know Mr. Thomas from Memorial Park Middle School, too.)
It’s a new business in the ’07. Here’s an article from Input Fort Wayne: https://www.inputfortwayne.com/news/Health-Hut-comes-to-07.aspx?fbclid=IwAR1E1AbjMypHM2jkgLsGNdgQJiJ-PvkWJ5e3VNa4lCVWNIQpf6VthiOikuw
These Are the People in Your Neighbohood: Dr. Marx and Dr. Shoemaker at PPG – Family Medicine
Did you know Parkview Physicians Group has an office at the Summit? We have a doctor’s office within walking distance!
Our area does a great job supporting local establishments. If you need a new doctor, take a look nearby.
