Leaders of the Town of Leo-Cedarville are excited to share plans with the public regarding several construction projects underway in town. Thanks to partnerships with Allen County, INDOT, and other entities, the Town is implementing plans for trails, improved roads, and bridge upgrades. When the projects are completed, residents of the community will enjoy safer corridors and better access to parks, businesses, and schools.
Cedar Creek Parks Trail
The Town of Leo-Cedarville recently broke ground on the Cedar Creek Parks Trail. Nearly two miles long, the trail will be on the south side of Hosler Road, connecting State Road 1 to Halter Road. It will run south along Halter to Hursh Road. At that point, Allen County will be connecting a new trail from Hursh Road to Metea Park. The opposite end of the trail, by State Road 1, will link with a trail to Grabill. This trail will eventually be run to the Hurshtown Reservoir.
The Cedar Creek Parks Trail project will be completed in sections with a goal to finish the stretch nearest Leo Elementary before August when classes resume. The rest of the trail is scheduled to be completed by the end of October. Storm water lines will be added or repaired as part of this project. During most of the construction, Hosler Road will be restricted to one-lane, one-way from Amstutz to State Road 1. Downtown businesses, like the Frozen Spoon, will be open and residents are encouraged to support them during the project.
The Town has committed American Rescue Plan Act funds for the trail and has received a $1.5 million grant from the Allen County Capital Improvement Board to complete the trail project.
Amstutz Road Widening and Trail
INDOT is administering Federal Highway funds for improving Amstutz Road between State Road 1 and Hosler Road, with the help of the Northeast Indiana Regional Coordinating Council (NIRCC). The Town has contributed 20% of the cost toward matching funds. The Cedar Creek Parks Trail and Amstutz Road widening projects combined will be more than a $10 million investment.
This road-widening project is adding a turn lane in the center and a sidewalk on each side of the road. The project also includes a new pedestrian bridge to improve safety and to increase access to businesses and schools. There will also be improvements to the storm drains.
The first phase of this project is utility relocation along with tree removal, which has begun and will continue until June. Road construction from Hosler Road to the existing pedestrian bridge will take place between early June and early August. Phase 2, from the bridge to south of Trading Post Road, will be reconstructed from early August through October. Trees will be planted, and restoration will take place in the fall or spring.
These two projects were not originally scheduled to take place at the same time. While having them overlap will be inconvenient, the positives of cost savings and only one disrupted construction season, instead of two, should prove to be worth the inconvenience.
Grabill Road Bridge Upgrades
The Grabill Road bridge will be improved with Allen County Highway leading the project, with funding and involvement from NIRCC, INDOT, the Federal Highway Administration and the Town of Leo-Cedarville. The bridge over the St. Joseph River was constructed in 1965, this project will address its deteriorating conditions. The bridge deck and beams will be replaced, along with railing and other structural upgrades. The driving lanes will be widened, and a 10-foot-wide sidewalk will be added on the north side of the bridge. Stairs will be constructed down to the riverbank to link pedestrians from the Grabill Trail to the Riverside Gardens Connector.
Much of the project will be ready for construction bids in the late summer and construction is projected begin in 2025. A detour for the bridge project includes installing a stop light at the intersection of Clay Street and State Road 1 in Leo-Cedarville in August. The Grabill Bridge project is estimated to cost over $9 million.
When completed, all these projects will improve safety, connectivity and enhance the “Sense of Community” at the heart of Leo-Cedarville. Patience is appreciated as the Town works to improve both vehicle and pedestrian access to businesses, homes, and schools in the community. Updates will be posted on the Town’s website: www.Leocedarville.com.