Delayed pattern, reconstruction on Bluffton Road gets underway

UPDATE (July 16, 2025):

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – The City of Fort Wayne says a change in the traffic pattern on Bluffton Road is underway.
Bridge work has been going on for months, but this second phase will require a one-lane traffic configuration.

The second phase of the Bluffton Road Bridge construction will continue through October.

The City released the following:

With significant delays expected during this phase of the Bluffton Road Bridge construction, the City of Fort Wayne Public Works Division encourages residents who travel in that area to subscribe to the Bluffton Road Bridge Reconstruction Project Engage page in order to receive updates as well as to submit questions HERE

One frequently asked question has been in regards to having only one lane of traffic open during this phase when two lanes were open during the previous phase. Due to the proximity of the barrier wall to the drop off, the barrier has to be anchored to the bridge, which would require drilling hundreds of holes in the new deck for these anchors. Drilling holes into this new portion of the bridge would compromise its future integrity. Over time the new bridge would deteriorate faster because of all of the holes. Drilling holes for the anchors in the bridge deck for the first phase was not an issue because the holes were drilled into the old bridge deck.

As a reminder, it is highly recommended that the public seek an alternate route while this traffic pattern is in operation through October.

Only one direction of travel will be allowed on the bridge at one time.
Red lights at signals will be significantly longer than a standard signalized intersection to provide time for traffic to clear the construction zone.
A new signal head will be installed for eastbound Bluffton Road 600 feet in front of the bridge to allow westbound traffic to clear the construction zone.
Expect significant delays to cross the Bluffton Road Bridge, and at the intersection of Bluffton Road and Broadway, due to the new traffic pattern.

We ask for your patience during this phase of construction.

UPDATE (July 8, 2025):

The City of Fort Wayne says that due to technical difficulties with the temporary traffic signal, the new one-lane traffic pattern expected to begin July 8 for the Bluffton Road Bridge Reconstruction Project has been delayed until further notice.

More information about the Bluffton Road Bridge Reconstruction Project can be found HERE

ORIGINAL POST:

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – The new traffic patterns that will begin on July 8 for the Bluffton Road Bridge reconstruction will require traffic to be reduced to one lane of traffic at a time and will likely cause significant delays.

The City says it highly recommends that the public seek an alternate route while this traffic pattern is in operation through October.

The City of Fort Wayne released the following:

Only one direction of travel will be allowed on the bridge at one time.
Red lights at signals will be significantly longer than a standard signalized intersection to provide time for traffic to clear the construction zone.
A new signal head will be installed for eastbound Bluffton Road 600 feet in front of the bridge to allow westbound traffic to clear the construction zone.
Expect significant delays to cross the Bluffton Road Bridge, and at the intersection of Bluffton Road and Broadway, due to the new traffic pattern.

We ask for your patience during this phase of construction.

More information about the Bluffton Road Bridge Reconstruction Project can be found HERE