Local Projects

Several infrastructure projects are underway or planned in and around the Indian Village neighborhood. This page tracks the major construction, road, and trail projects that affect our community — from bridge work on Bluffton Road to new trail connections that will improve walkability and recreation for residents.

Last reviewed: March 2026. If you know of a project we’re missing, email board@indianvillagefw.org.

Bluffton Road Bridge Reconstruction

Complete
City of Fort Wayne Public Works Early 2025 – June 2026 Federally funded
Latest Update: June 2026 — Construction is complete. All lanes are open.

The Bluffton Road Bridge over the St. Mary's River has been completely reconstructed. The project replaced the bridge superstructure and added major pedestrian and bicycle improvements including wider trails, overlook areas, and improved intersection crossings.

Impact on Our Neighborhood

The bridge reconstruction is complete and all lanes are open. The rebuilt bridge features wider trails on both sides, eight overlook areas with see-through railing, a new trail under the bridge with lighting, and improved ADA crosswalks at the Broadway & Bluffton intersection.

Project Features

  • New support beams, pier caps, and concrete deck
  • Wider trails over bridge (5 ft expanded to 8+ ft) with paths on both sides
  • Eight overlook areas with see-through railing
  • Decorative ornamental lighting on barrier walls
  • New trail under the bridge with lighting
  • Improved Broadway & Bluffton intersection with ADA crosswalks
  • Trail/sidewalk roundabout at SW corner
  • Scour protection in the river

Key Dates

January 2020 Bridge inspection reveals safety issues; 12-ton weight limit imposed
February 2022 First public information meeting
April 2024 Public open-house with renderings and timeline at Sears Pavilion
Early 2025 Construction begins — Phase I (south half beam replacement)
Late Summer 2025 Phase II begins — north half beam replacement
March 30, 2026 Construction resumes after winter; Broadway intersection work
June 2026 Project complete — all lanes open
Last updated 2026-06-05

Bluffton Road NIPSCO Gas Pipeline

Wrapping Up
NIPSCO Early 2026 – June 2026 NIPSCO (utility project)
Latest Update: June 2026 — Old Trail Road remains closed between Lower Huntington Road and Bella Vista Boulevard through June 22. Bluffton Road lane restrictions ended in May. The Memorial Day Parade proceeded as planned after NIPSCO delayed Old Trail Road work until after May 25.

NIPSCO is constructing a new natural gas pipeline and automated monitoring stations along Bluffton and Old Trail Roads. The project involves months of intermittent lane closures and road restrictions along one of the area's busiest corridors, which sees around 30,000 vehicles per day.

Impact on Our Neighborhood

Old Trail Road is closed between Lower Huntington Road and Bella Vista Boulevard through June 22 for gas line installation. Bluffton Road lane restrictions ended in May. NIPSCO worked with community stakeholders to delay Old Trail Road construction until after the May 25 Memorial Day Parade, which proceeded as planned.

Project Features

  • New natural gas pipeline along Bluffton and Old Trail Roads
  • Automated pipeline monitoring and control stations
  • Gas main installation between Ferguson and Winters Roads
  • Gas main repair from Winters to Pleasant Center Road

Key Dates

Through May 20 Southbound Bluffton Road traffic impacts (Winchester to Pleasant Center) — complete
April 20 – May 19 Northbound Bluffton Road restrictions — complete
May 25 Memorial Day Parade — proceeded as planned (NIPSCO delayed Old Trail work)
April 29 – June 22 Full closure of Old Trail Road (Lower Huntington to Bella Vista Blvd)
Through mid-May Gas main work at Ferguson & Bluffton Road intersection — complete
Last updated 2026-06-05

Illinois Road Trail & Road Improvement

In Progress
City of Fort Wayne Public Works March 2026 – Fall 2027 $1 million from Indiana Next Level Trails
Latest Update: March 2026 — Construction began March 23rd. Four phases planned; road work proceeds west to east, trail work began in April across all phases.

A nearly two-mile trail extending from Rockhill Park to the intersection of Getz Road and Illinois Road, plus resurfacing of Illinois Road and improvements to four intersections. The trail will connect users to Parkwest Shopping Center, Jefferson Pointe, and numerous businesses along the Illinois Road corridor.

Impact on Our Neighborhood

While not directly within Indian Village, the Illinois Road Trail extends the regional trail network that neighbors can access. It connects to the Towpath Trail, Yarnelle Trail, Getz Road sidewalk, and Ardmore Avenue Trail — building a more connected trail system on Fort Wayne's southwest side. Road resurfacing will proceed in four phases from west to east, so expect intermittent traffic impacts on Illinois Road through 2027.

Project Features

  • Nearly 2-mile paved trail from Rockhill Park to Getz Road & Illinois Road
  • Connects to Towpath Trail, Yarnelle Trail, Getz Road sidewalk, and Ardmore Avenue Trail
  • Illinois Road resurfacing
  • Four intersection improvements
  • Access to Parkwest Shopping Center and Jefferson Pointe

Key Dates

September 2025 Construction bids opened
October 2025 Notice to Proceed issued to Bunn Excavating
March 25, 2026 Meet the Contractor public meeting
March 23, 2026 Construction begins — Phase 1 of 4
Fall 2027 Expected project completion
Last updated 2026-06-05

Poka-Bache Connector Trail (Bluffton Road)

In Design
City of Fort Wayne Public Works Design 2025–2026 · Construction 2028–2029 State and federal (Poka-Bache Coalition)
Latest Update: Design 2025-2026

A 2.1-mile, 10-foot-wide asphalt trail along the east side of Bluffton Road from Ferguson Road to Lower Huntington Road. This is a local phase of the 82-mile Poka-Bache Connector — which will become the longest trail in Indiana, linking Pokagon State Park in Angola to Ouabache State Park in Bluffton.

Impact on Our Neighborhood

This trail will run right along Bluffton Road through the Waynedale area, directly improving pedestrian and bicycle access for Indian Village residents. When completed, it will connect the neighborhood to the broader Poka-Bache trail system spanning four counties. A public information meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2026 at 6 PM at Waynedale United Methodist Church.

Project Features

  • 2.1-mile, 10-foot-wide asphalt trail on east side of Bluffton Road
  • Trailhead and rest area near Bluffton and Ferguson intersection
  • Park benches approximately every half mile
  • Prefabricated pedestrian bridge at Harber Ditch
  • Traffic signal upgrades with accessible pedestrian signals
  • Crosswalk and ADA improvements
  • Pedestrian refuge island at Airport Expressway

Key Dates

2025–2026 Design phase (engineering consultant DLZ)
April 8, 2026 Public information meeting — 6 PM at Waynedale United Methodist Church
2027 Land acquisition
2028 Project bidding and construction begins
2028–2029 Construction; anticipated completion
Last updated 2026-06-05