Goeglein Road Bridge Reopens, Restoring a Key Connection in Northeast Fort Wayne

If you’ve driven through northeast Fort Wayne over the past several months, you’ve probably noticed the detour around the Goeglein Road Bridge over Bullerman Drain. What was once a familiar part of the daily commute became an active construction zone as crews worked to replace the bridge superstructure.

Now, the work is complete and traffic is moving once again!

While most people simply see a bridge reopen, a lot happens behind the scenes to make a project like this successful. From planning and coordination to construction, inspection, testing, and documentation, it takes a team effort to deliver a project that will serve the community for years to come.

Why the Project Was Needed

Bridges take a beating over time. Years of traffic, weather, and freeze-thaw cycles eventually catch up with even the best-built structures.

The Goeglein Road Bridge had reached the point where replacing the superstructure was the best long-term solution. The project allowed the City of Fort Wayne and INDOT to address the bridge’s needs now and avoid larger issues down the road.

Just as importantly, the project preserved an important connection for the area. Goeglein Road serves local residents, commuters, school transportation, emergency services, and businesses throughout northeast Fort Wayne. Closing the road was never ideal, but it was necessary to complete the work safely and efficiently.

More Than Just a Bridge

Although the bridge itself was the primary focus, the improvements extended beyond the driving surface.

The completed project includes renewed pedestrian facilities and updated ADA-compliant detectable warning surfaces, helping make the crossing safer and more accessible for everyone who uses it. Whether you’re behind the wheel or traveling on foot, those details make a difference.

A Team Effort

Duncan Robertson, Inc. (DRI) served as the contractor for the project, leading construction activities throughout the closure.

A&Z Engineering provided construction inspection services, with Project Supervisor Jason Pace serving as the Resident Project Representative. Working alongside the City of Fort Wayne, INDOT, and the contractor, Jason was responsible for overseeing daily construction activities, coordinating testing and documentation, tracking quantities, reviewing work for compliance with project requirements, and helping keep communication flowing between all parties involved.

As anyone who works in construction knows, successful projects rarely happen because of one person or one organization. They happen because a lot of people work together to solve problems, make decisions, and keep things moving forward.

Thank You for Your Patience

One thing that often gets overlooked on infrastructure projects is the role the public plays.

For months, residents and commuters adjusted their routes, added extra time to their drive, and worked around the closure while construction was underway. Those inconveniences are temporary, but they are very real for the people who travel the corridor every day.

We appreciate the patience shown by area residents, businesses, school transportation providers, emergency responders, and everyone else affected by the closure. Projects like this simply aren’t possible without public cooperation.

Back Open and Ready for the Future

With construction now complete, the Goeglein Road Bridge is once again carrying traffic across Bullerman Drain.

The new bridge, upgraded pedestrian facilities, and accessibility improvements will help serve the community for years to come while providing a safer and more reliable crossing for everyone who depends on it.

At A&Z, we’re proud to have been part of the project and grateful for the opportunity to support the City of Fort Wayne, INDOT, and DRI throughout construction.

Most people will drive across the bridge without thinking much about it—and honestly, that’s probably the best measure of success. The detours are gone, the work is finished, and the bridge is back to doing what it was built to do: connecting people to where they need to go.