A long-awaited rail improvement project is underway and drivers of Elkhart will be relieved when it is finished.

Patriot Rail began reconstruction work on the first of 6 rail crossings began on Tuesday, April 16, west of Elkhart city limits at County Road 1.

The County Road 1 crossing is expected to reopen April 22 and crews will continue moving east to reconstruct the crossings at Oak Street, Michigan Street, Edwardsburg Avenue, Cassopolis Street, and Prairie Street. Each crossing will be closed for 1-2 weeks during reconstruction.

Patriot Rail owns and operates the rail line that runs east/west through downtown Elkhart and west to Mishawaka, and was awarded federal grant funds in 2023 to make investments to increase safety and provide increased connectivity.