The City of Fort Wayne will host a public meeting Nov. 4 to detail plans for the Airport Expressway Grade Separation Improvements Project, a major infrastructure effort aimed at eliminating a busy at‑grade railroad crossing and rebuilding a stretch of roadway on the city’s southwest side.
Meeting logistics and purpose
The session begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, in the Omni Room at Citizens Square, 200 E. Berry St. City Public Works personnel will explain why the project is needed, outline proposed improvements and discuss next steps for design and construction.
“The section of roadway carries more than 20,000 vehicles daily,”
City statements note that the corridor currently handles significant daily traffic — including school buses, commercial trucks and motorists traveling to nearby employers and Fort Wayne International Airport — and crosses Norfolk Southern’s Crossing 478051H.
Scope and expected benefits
The project would construct a new overpass to remove the at‑grade rail crossing and rebuild approximately 2,500 feet of Airport Expressway between Airport Drive and east of the Harber Drain bridge. City officials say removing the crossing will:
- Reduce traffic delays caused by trains that cross the road (about 15 trains daily are reported in city materials).
- Improve safety by removing interactions between trains and vehicular traffic.
- Decrease vehicle emissions by eliminating the need for hundreds of vehicles per day to stop, idle and accelerate.
- Increase drainage capacity at Harber Drain to reduce flooding during heavy rainfall.
- Support growing travel demand and nearby community and economic assets, including access to Fort Wayne International Airport.
Officials say the corridor currently carries more than 20,000 vehicles daily, making it one of the busier local arterials. The project is positioned as a multi‑benefit investment to improve mobility, safety and resilience on the city’s southwest side.
What residents can expect at the meeting
Public Works staff will present an overview of the design rationale, proposed construction limits and anticipated outcomes. Attendees can get details on timing, staging and potential detours once the project progresses to construction. The city has also published additional project information online for those who cannot attend in person.
| Project element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rail crossing removed | Norfolk Southern Crossing 478051H (overpass) |
| Roadway rebuilt | About 2,500 feet between Airport Drive and Harber Drain bridge |
| Daily traffic | More than 20,000 vehicles |
| Trains per day | Approximately 15 |
City officials have emphasized the project’s potential to reduce both congestion and idling‑related emissions, improve emergency response reliability by limiting train‑related road blockages, and reduce localized flooding by increasing Harber Drain’s flow capacity. For residents who live, work or commute through the corridor, those changes could mean fewer delays and more consistent travel times.
Next steps and how to participate
The Nov. 4 meeting is an opportunity to hear the city’s presentation and ask questions of the Public Works team about schedule, design details, property impacts and construction phasing. Additional project materials and updates are available through the city’s engagement portal. Officials have encouraged interested residents to review posted documents and attend the meeting to learn more.
As the city moves forward with design and permitting, residents should expect subsequent public notices on timelines and traffic impacts. For those who want to follow the project but cannot attend, the city’s online project page provides continued updates and contact information for project staff.
The presentation and any public comments gathered at the meeting will inform the next phases of planning for an effort the city says will improve safety and mobility along a key Fort Wayne corridor.
