The Fort Wayne Board of Public Works is looking for a contractor to repair streets and sidewalks ripped up by falling trees during powerful wind storms June 29 and July 5.
Frank Suarez, spokesman for the city’s public works division, said 23 concrete surfaces need repairs throughout Fort Wayne – possibly adding to the most recent cost estimate of $2 million toward storm-related cleanup. The work would include streets, sidewalks, private driveways and the park strip area between curbs and sidewalks.
The board voted Wednesday to move forward with the project and will accept bids Sept. 19, according to a public notice issued by the city. Suarez said he could not provide a cost estimate for the project before contractors submitted their bids.
According to Suarez, the city already has rung up a $2 million tab – including goods, services from outside contractors and overtime pay for police and firefighters – dealing with the aftermath of the storms. Suarez did not immediately know if the street and sidewalk repairs were counted as part of the $2 million estimate.
The storms toppled hundreds of trees, knocked out dozens of street lights and left more than 78,000 people without power – some for nearly a week – in the Fort Wayne area.
