Drivers in Fort Wayne, brace yourselves: the next stretch of the Bluffton Road bridge reconstruction kicks off Tuesday, July 8, bringing fresh headaches for commuters — but a smoother, safer bridge on the other side.
One Lane, Longer Waits
Phil Labrash, a traffic engineer with the city, didn’t sugarcoat it — Phase II means the bridge will be down to a single lane in both directions.
Backups were already common when two lanes were open during Phase I. So, you can guess what happens next: more brake lights and longer waits, especially during rush hour.
“If you’re on Broadway trying to turn left onto Bluffton, you’re going to wait for all the eastbound traffic to clear, plus cars heading south. It’s going to take an extra amount of time,” Labrash said.
One short line: pack your patience or find a new route.
The Lesser of Two Headaches
So, why not just shut it down and get it over with? Labrash says the single-lane plan beats the alternative.
A total closure would push cars onto long, winding detours — adding miles and frustration for thousands every day. By keeping one lane open, people can still cross, even if they have to crawl.
For many drivers, that’s a decent trade-off.
Early Wins Keep Hopes Up
There’s a silver lining here: Phase I wrapped up ahead of schedule. That bit of good news has crews feeling optimistic that Phase II will hit its October completion target.
A local resident said the first phase was rough, but ending early made up for the hassle. They’re hoping for the same luck this round.
The Big Picture: Better Bridge, Fewer Potholes
Sure, nobody loves waiting in traffic. But for this bridge, the work’s overdue. The city wants it to last decades without constant patch-ups.
This phase includes reinforcing structural supports, repaving, and fixing wear-and-tear that’s been a thorn for commuters for years.
Here’s a quick table showing what’s being done:
| Phase | What’s Happening | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Phase I | Lane improvements, repaving | Finished early |
| Phase II | One lane open, structural fixes | Ends October |
Short and simple: the bridge will be safer, smoother, and less of a maintenance headache — but drivers have to put up with some bumps now.
Tips for Navigating the Backup
City engineers offered a few nuggets to survive the slog:
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Leave earlier if you can, especially during morning and evening rush.
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Use alternate routes, but expect side streets to be busier too.
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Stay off your phone — stop-and-go means surprises.
One driver grumbled, “It’s annoying, but at least they’re not shutting it all down. I’d rather wait than have to drive five extra miles.”
Just a Few More Months
If all goes as planned, the bridge will reopen fully by October, just in time for cooler weather — and maybe smoother commutes.
Until then? Expect single-file traffic and keep the radio on. Sometimes the only way across is slow and steady.
