The City of Elkhart has officially broken ground on the Hively Avenue Overpass Project, a major infrastructure improvement aimed at increasing safety and reducing traffic delays across the city.

City officials held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, May 20, to mark the start of construction on the project, which is designed to improve traffic flow and eliminate delays caused by trains along the Norfolk Southern Railroad corridor.

Plans for the project include a new overpass bridge spanning the railroad tracks, South Main Street, Sterling Avenue, and Hammond Avenue. The development will also feature ADA-compliant sidewalks and a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists.

City leaders say the overpass will help emergency responders reach residents more quickly during emergencies while also improving overall transportation reliability for drivers throughout the area.

Officials describe the project as part of Elkhart’s broader ASPIRE initiative, which focuses on long-term infrastructure upgrades and community development.

The city also thanked local, state, federal, railroad, engineering, and community partners involved in helping move the project forward.