Recently, drivers intending to take Bluffton Road unexpectedly discovered lane and road closures along the stretch spanning from Winchester Road to Pleasant Center Road. As a main throughway seeing around 30,000 cars every day, locals have become increasingly concerned that construction will negatively impact Waynedale neighborhoods, businesses, and an upcoming longstanding community-wide event.
The reason for the traffic management is the construction of a new NIPSCO natural gas pipeline and stations to monitor, control, and automate pipeline operations from a central control center. A representative from NIPSCO commented that there will be months of forthcoming construction along Bluffton and Old Trail Roads which will lead to intermittent road closures and lane restrictions.
In town, the project has been planned to occur in 3 phases. According to the Fort Wayne Public Works ‘TREC’ map, traffic disruptions due to Bluffton Road work will span from Engle Road to the Old Trail intersection. Southbound traffic is reported to potentially be impacted now through May 20. Then, northbound restrictions will likely occur from April 20 to May 19. And a full closure of Old Trail Road is currently scheduled from April 20 to June 23…