Council Weighs Funding Plan for Pufferbelly Bridge
Fort Wayne officials propose new financing to close a cost gap on the Vann Family Crossing over Coliseum Boulevard.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Hiking
Live Poll
Do you support using local income tax funds to close the gap on the Vann Family Crossing bridge?
Fort Wayne city officials proposed a plan to fund the Pufferbelly Trail pedestrian bridge, also known as the Vann Family Crossing, after the project was delayed by a cost gap. The proposal was presented at a City Council meeting on Tuesday, and councilmembers will vote on it at a later date.
Why it matters
The bridge would make crossing one of Fort Wayne's busiest roads safer for trail users and pedestrians, connecting a network of 130 miles of community trails. The delay and funding gap show how construction bids can outpace earlier cost projections for local trail infrastructure.
The city's $7 million projection falls well short of construction bids between roughly $9.9 million and $11.2 million, leaving a $2.9 million gap the proposal would partly cover through the Fort Wayne Local Income Tax-Economic Development fund. Whether the remaining funding will be secured has not been determined.
The players
Fort Wayne City Council
The Fort Wayne City Council is the legislative body of the city, responsible for approving the funding plan and future votes on the bridge project.
The details
The proposal would use part of the Fort Wayne Local Income Tax-Economic Development fund to address the shortfall. The bridge will cross Coliseum Boulevard east of Lima Road and provide access to nearby businesses, including Glenbrook Square Mall.
Timeline
September: Project was expected to start, now delayed.
November 10, 2026: City Council meeting where the funding plan was proposed.
2027: Project expected to be completed.
Seasonal Patterns
The bridge extends the 130-mile Pufferbelly Trail network by adding a grade-separated crossing over Coliseum Boulevard, a key link that the trail's existing route has lacked. Its completion would directly improve connectivity for trail users throughout the city's expanding trail system.
Trail users crossing Coliseum Boulevard could eventually use a dedicated pedestrian bridge instead of a busy road crossing. Until the funding is approved and construction begins, the existing crossing remains in place.
The takeaway
Trail infrastructure projects often depend on closing funding gaps between early estimates and final construction bids. Residents interested in the bridge can follow future City Council votes to see how the plan develops.
Further reading
For more on local trail options, explore Hiking in Fort Wayne.
Live Poll
Do you support using local income tax funds to close the gap on the Vann Family Crossing bridge?
