Clinton construction on time, on budget

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Clinton Street going into downtown Fort Wayne should reopen to traffic by the end of August. That's on time with the original construction schedule.

The road's been closed from State Boulevard to Elizabeth Street since March 14. The plan then was to have traffic flowing again by the end of August.

"We're hitting our schedule with everything as expected. I think the dry summer has helped with that," Mary Foster with the Indiana Department of Transportation said.

Foster said an exact reopen day should be decided next week, but barring any weather events, the road will be open by the end of the month.

The project is 70 percent done now. This week, crews are putting in sidewalks and curbs, removing some temporary supports under the bridge, finishing the grading for landscaping and putting in street lights. Next week the top coat of asphalt goes on and then the cars should come again.

IN-DOT said it's a little inconvenience for long-lasting benefits.

"We [raised] the bridge over Spy Run Creek. The goal was to alleviate some flooding on Clinton Street. We're also softening the curve [where] you go over the bridge and approach Science Central. The curve is softened because crash data indicated that was needed," Foster said. "For safety reasons it's a big improvement."

Even with Clinton is back open, the project won't be completely finished yet.

"We're redoing approaches for Jacobs Street and Elizabeth Street that will include some lane closures on either side," Foster said.

Finishing landscaping also will be done once the road is back open. The entire project is slated to be finished by the end of October.