Plans for an overpass over Elkhart railroad crossing

 

ELKHART, Ind.-- One railroad crossing in Elkhart, near the intersection of Hively Avenue and Main Street, gets roughly 75 trains a day. That equates to about 3.5 hours daily that trains are blocking traffic.

"If you and I are waiting at that, that's one thing. But if we have emergency vehicles waiting at that crossing, it's a completely different scenario," said Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson.

The City of Elkhart is rolling out plans for an overpass on Hively Avenue, starting near Main Street and ending near Sterling Avenue, bridging over the Norfolk Southern triple-track.

Mayor Rod Roberson announced nearly $20 million in grant funds from the Department of Transportation's 2024 Railroad Crossing Elimination Program.

"The largest award that has ever been granted to the City of Elkhart," Roberson said.

That money will combine with roughly $17 million from the state. The city will cover another $10-12 million. Overall, the full project is expected to cost around $50 to 55 million.

"For us to eliminate 3.5 hours a day of waiting at that particular railroad crossing, when we have at least 75 trains that run that line a day," Roberson said.

INDOT will start collecting bids from contractors for the project. City leaders are hoping to break ground this fall and open the overpass by the end of 2027.

"For safety, for congestion, for efficiency of moving goods in and around the City of Elkhart, these railroad grade separations are critical," Roberson said.