6 min read

Jan. 14, 2025 | Do pedestrians get the right of way in Fort Wayne?

Jan. 14, 2025 | Do pedestrians get the right of way in Fort Wayne?

Hey Locals,

You've probably heard it said: "pedestrians have the right of way." But this week, we're looking into whether they actually get it in Fort Wayne. A reader asked us about a specific intersection in town where they say neither drivers, nor pedestrians are taking advantage of new traffic safety features. We sit down with a city traffic engineer to explore why.

We also update you on more restaurant closures and a long-awaited railroad overpass that's underway. Plus, we dish about three must-try eateries on our list for Savor Fort Wayne, which begins tomorrow!

Don't forget: This month, all paid subscribers to The Local get one FREE climbing shoe rental with a climbing pass at Summit City Climbing Co. Did you know we give our paid members a freebie every month at a local business to cover the cost of membership? See what a paid membership is all about with this 30-day trial, and you can get that deal!

Now, let's get started!

NOTE: Links to Journal Gazette articles are marked(*) and may be behind a paywall.


Do pedestrians get the right of way?

A reader question calls attention to lax road rule-following in Fort Wayne.

A crosswalk at the corner of Creighton and Hoagland has a sign, street markings and even a solar-powered flashing light, but a reader says drivers still aren't yielding to pedestrians.

What's happening?

In our callout for reader questions to kickoff the new year, we received one about what's being done to get drivers and pedestrians to utilize the city's new pedestrian crossing signals, equipped with flashing lights at select locations.

The reader says:

"I have a concern about the lack of interest (?) in the relatively newly installed pedestrian crossing signals. I've seen them work very well in places that are already pretty pedestrian-friendly (e.g. college towns), but here they seem to be ignored. I'm not sure that pedestrians know that they are available, how they work, and what they can expect; just as (if not more) importantly, do vehicles know what the flashing lights mean and what they are supposed to do when they see them? There is one close to my house, at the corner of Creighton and Hoagland, a block from Fairfield and just up from a Dollar Store (i.e. lots of foot traffic). When I've been on that corner, and someone presses the walk button, I have never a car even slow down, let alone stop. Perhaps some attention could be drawn to these not-inexpensive and well-intentioned additions to our streets?"

To learn more: we did some research and sat down with Philip LaBrash, a traffic engineer for the City of Fort Wayne.

For a little context...

  • Nationally: There was a span of about 30 years when the U.S. saw a reduction in roadway fatalities, largely due to improved traffic safety laws, roadway design and traffic operation practices. But during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, things went the opposite direction. While fewer people were on the roads (due to remote work, stay home orders, etc.), the U.S. actually experienced its highest number of roadway fatalities since 2005. And while it's unclear why, preliminary research by NHTSA suggests "people who continued to drive during the pandemic may have engaged in riskier behavior," like speeding and substance abuse.
  • What's more: pedestrians made up 1 in 6 of those 2021 fatalities, or "on average, 20 people everyday..., and the highest number since 1981." Since then, conditions have improved, and the U.S. Department of Transportation committed to a vision of zero traffic fatalities through a Safe System Approach, which it defines as: 1) Safer Crossings, 2) Appropriate Driving Speeds and 3) Improved Visibility. Government leaders also signed into law the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), including $5B to support initiatives preventing death and serious injuries on roads and streets and about $39B to modernize public transit, reducing the number of drivers on roadways.
  • So did Fort Wayne see an increase in traffic crashes and federal funding during the pandemic? LaBrash says the city generally followed national trends with crashes rising during the pandemic and then returning to "expected levels" since 2023. The city also received about $36M in four federal grants to improve its roadway safety and public transportation during the next several years, and a regional body (the NIRCC) published a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan in 2023 that mentions "vision zero" – but stops short of committing to it.
  • So what about flashing pedestrian crossing signals? LaBrash says adding solar-powered flashing lights to signage is one way cities have tried to get drivers to pay more attention to pedestrian crossings and other roadway changes or safety measures, like stop signs. The method is becoming more prevalent as solar-powered lights become cost-effective. "We’re still observing how people react to them and sorting out what’s going to work best for the city moving forward. The major factor in that is drivers’ expectations. If we are consistent in what we’re adding to the built environment, then people will know how to react, and react correctly. I think these technologies aren’t widespread enough yet, so when people encounter them on some intersections, it feels like a new situation."
  • So why aren't drivers stopping for pedestrians at crossings, even when they have flashing lights? It's difficult to pinpoint, but it could be a lack of exposure to these types of traffic safety measures – and/or the presence of pedestrians, in general.

As Labrash says:

"It’s worthwhile to remind drivers that they are to always yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and to be aware of their surroundings, especially when signs and pavement markings are indicating the possibility of pedestrians crossing the street."

Learn more about traffic safety (and how you can get improvements in your neighborhood) by reading our full Q&A.


  • More restaurant closures are happening this week. Last week, Shigs In Pit announced it's closing its original location on Fairfield Avenue after 13 years. The closure is effective Jan. 18, and the small business cites the reasons for closure as "rent tripling last year, challenges of an old building and a smaller parking lot," according to a social media post. Shigs In Pit says its helping employees affected by the decision and moving its catering operations to its two remaining locations on Illinois and Maplecrest roads. Flat Top Grill at Jefferson Pointe is also permanently closing on Jan. 17 without explanataion, WANE 15 reports.
  • A long-awaited railroad overpass project on Airport Expressway is coming to fruition, thanks to $23.2M in federal funding. The funding is part of a $1.1 billion investment in 1,000 rail crossings nationwide aimed at improving safety and quality of life, as well as reducing travel times – particularly for emergency vehicles. It will allow Fort Wayne to finalize and construct its $29M Airport Expressway overpass project, with an estimated 20% non-federal match coming from the city and Norfolk Southern. Pending final approvals, construction is expected to begin in 2029 and be complete a few years later, resembling the overpass on Hillegas Road north of Illinois Road. Allen County also received $400K* to study a railroad overpass strategy for Scott Road (Southwest).

Plus: a big medical merger, a new pre-k program and the results of Parkview Field's first Holiday Lights festival. We cover it all in our premium newsletter.


  • Dine: out for Savor Fort Wayne Jan. 15-26, offering 12 days of three-course menu deals at more than 90 restaurant locations. (We share three must-try spots in our premium newsletter.)
  • Listen: to a free "Musical Mornings" performances by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic at Crescendo Coffee & More (by the Clyde Theatre) on Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. with food and drink specials available for purchase.
  • Try: all-you-can-eat sushi at Kanpai Sushi, which opened last Wednesday at 4710 Coldwater Rd., offering "authentic Japanese cuisine" and $16.99 lunch specials 11 a.m.-3 p.m., as well as dinner specials for $26.99 on weekdays and all-day dinner on weekends.

What else? We share more things to do in our premium newsletter.


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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett