Utility relocation — the first phase of work for the widening of Anchorage Road that connects Ind. 15 to U.S. 30 — is set to begin within days.
That initial phase though could last up to 18 months as various companies begin the arduous task of moving numerous utilities above and below ground.
In addition to two lines of electrical poles, underline utilities include gas, fiber, and water, said Jeremy Skinner, Warsaw director of economic and community development.
“A lot of it will start this spring — any day now,” Skinner said.
He said the utility work will slow traffic and include lane closures.
The two-lane road is heavily traveled and serves many small businesses, a mobile home park, the Goodwill store and nearby neighborhoods. It also provides an entrance to the Meijer parking lot to the east.
The widening project entails adding a third lane and will also include sidewalks, curbs and improved drainage.
However, the widening will not extend past Sunset Drive to the west because of the nearby north-south railroad tracks.
Utility work should be complete by fall 2025. Whether construction begins before the end of 2025 will depend in part on the weather.
The entire project’s timeline ended up being pushed back after the Indiana Department of Transportation reached out to see if the city had any projects that could be delayed because of budgeting reasons and Skinner suggested Anchorage.
“It kind of worked out for both parties,” Skinner said. “As we were getting into utility relocates we were running up against trying to get all these utilities to move so they can start construction.”
The entire project is expected to cost $4.5 million with 80% of that bill being covered with money from various gas taxes. The city’s share of the project is around $900,000, Skinner said.
Depending on the type of project, the city sometimes has to cover the cost of removing poles, but that’s not the case with Anchorage Road.
Given the large number of poles along this section of road, that’s a good thing for the city.
Skinner was asked about the cost.
“I know what they’d charge us. They charge us $15,000 to $20,000 per pole,” Skinner said. “If I had to guess, it would be a million dollars worth of pole relocations.”
Construction should be completed by fall 2026.