Warsaw has landed federal funding for two transportation projects.

Mayor Joe Thallemer started Tuesday’s council meeting by announcing the city was informed it would receive up to $3.7 million in federal money for Anchorage Road and a large-scale sidewalk project adjacent to  Lincoln Elementary.

The funding was announced through Indiana Department of Transportation. In both instances, the money can cover up to 80 percent of the project cost while the city covers the remaining portion.

Thallemer said he was shocked the city was able to receive approval for both.

City Planner Jeremy Skinner said the opportunity to apply for the money was unexpected and that the city was “fortunate to capitalize on it.”

Along with the money comes a federal timetable. As a result, construction will be scheduled for 2022, Skinner said.

The city received $2.6 million in federal money for Anchorage Road and $1.1 million for the Lincoln area.

Anchorage Road, which is less than three-quarters of a mile long, links U.S. 30 and Ind. 15 and is seeing increased traffic in recent years.

The road is used by about 6,000 vehicles a day, but new and recent commercial development currently underway could push the future traffic count upward by another 2,000 vehicles, he said.



[[In-content Ad]]

Plans involve widening the street, new curbs and new turn lanes, Skinner said.

Improvements to Biomet Drive entrance off U.S. 30 – just north of Anchorage Road – will also be part of the work, Skinner said.

With federal support, the city hopes to construct about 2.5 miles of sidewalk to the west of Lincoln, according to Justin Taylor, assistant planner.

While the city has done plenty of small sidewalk projects in the past, the future work will be the biggest dedicated sidewalk endeavor in recent memory in the city, Skinner said.

Any sidewalks within that area that don’t meet ADA requirements will be upgraded.

The neighborhood has some good sidewalks along with many that are deteriorating, Skinner said.

Skinner said the city coordinated efforts with Warsaw school officials in developing the plan after the school district decided to renovate and expand Lincoln. That work wrapped up last year.

Skinner said interns did much of groundwork in helping documenting the plan and need for sidewalks.

In the past seven years, the city has received federal dollars for two other road projects, Husky Trail and part of Market Street renovations.