Lasalle Avenue project will cause traffic headaches in downtown South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind – The LaSalle Avenue streetscape project plans to implement traffic safety measures and the construction will be carried out in three phases with expected completion in November.

“Great places begin with great streets,” said Tim Corcoran, the Director of Planning and Community Resources in South Bend.

Phase one of construction began today which runs through mid-august and will take place on the south side of LaSalle Avenue from Hill Street to the river.

Tim Corcoran is excited about the new enhancements to the street.

“We want to improve the pedestrian experience, first by creating raised intersections that help people cross the street, give pedestrians a priority, were expanding sidewalks, were adding a two-way cycle track, our bike lane facility on the north street, were adding more parking, this includes street trees and lighting as well,” said Corcoran.

As of now there is a detour that will reroute eastbound traffic onto Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, then east on Colfax Avenue, eventually leading to Eddy Street.

The project will also be broken up into three phases of construction which Corcoran broke down for us.

“The first phase of the project is on the south side of LaSalle Avenue between the river and hill street, the second phase is the north side of the river till hill street and the third phase is primarily a street repaving project from hill street to eddy street,” said Corcoran.

Joe Mittiga is the owner of Corby's, and he is relieved to see this project come especially after the Irish pub was hit at least seven times by oncoming traffic!

“I’m happy its starting because this has been something I've been complaining about for years, just the speed at which people drive by on LaSalle creates a real dangerous situation for people leaving the bar,” said Mittiga.

While this will be a short-term inconvenience for the next five months, Mittiga felt that it will be worth it in the end.

“It will be worth the investment of the minor inconvenience, here in the short term it will be something really great for the business for the long term,” said Mittiga