Clinton officially closed to traffic at MLK bridge

FORT WAYNE, IND. (WANE) --Clinton Street just north of downtown was closed to traffic Monday afternoon, January 16 so crews can begin placing steel arches on the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge.  Two detours will be in effect to reroute traffic that includes  more than 25,000 vehicles a day.

The official detour is east on SR 930/Coliseum Boulevard to Washington Boulevard west (Cloverleaf Interchange). Westbound Washington Boulevard will return to US 27 Downtown Fort Wayne. Truck traffic and especially semi-trucks are encouraged to use the official detour due to several 90 degree turns on a local detour, which utilizes 4th Street, Harrison Street and Superior Street. To view a pdf map of the detour, click here.

The City of Fort Wayne’s local detour will make it easy to access downtown businesses. It begins at Clinton Street and 4th Street and follows 4th Street west to Harrison Street, then south on Harrison to Superior Street and east on Superior back to Clinton. Harrison and 4th Streets will be temporarily redirected as One-Way Streets during this construction period. To view a pdf map of the detour, click her e.

The two overhead arches for the bridge consist of 80 pieces of structural steel and will be constructed in sections. The entire process will take approximately two weeks, weather permitting. This process could take longer if the weather becomes problematic. The top of the arch will be 50 feet above the bridge deck. The gateway bridge connects to Downtown, Lawton Park, the Rivergreenway, and Headwaters Park. It will have sidewalks on both sides with seating halfway across the river and plaques with quotes from Dr. King Jr. attached to the railings.

When the bridge is re-opened to traffic, one of the three lanes will be restricted for 2-3 months. The restriction is due to continued illumination work on the bridge.

The project will be complete in the spring.