Elkhart’s biggest street project breaks ground on Hively Avenue
Elkhart has broken ground on the Hively Avenue Overpass, a $51 million project meant to cut rail delays and ease traffic near South Main Street.
Elkhart has moved the Hively Avenue Overpass from planning into construction. The city broke ground on May 20 on what it calls its largest street project in city history, a $51 million effort tied to the ASPIRE program.
The overpass is aimed at a familiar bottleneck near Hively Avenue, South Main Street, Sterling Avenue, and Hammond Avenue. City project materials say it will carry traffic over Norfolk Southern’s line and is meant to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, strengthen neighborhood connections, and make railroad operations safer and more efficient.
WVPE reported that the crossing can see 80 to 100 trains a day, and Mayor Rod Roberson said the delays have long held up residents and emergency crews. That is why city leaders are treating the project as an access and public-safety fix, not just a road upgrade.
Drivers should expect a long construction period before any real relief arrives. The city says completion is expected by November 2027, and WVPE reported that South Main Street should stay open for much of the project while Hively Avenue will have closures.
The finished bridge is expected to include two vehicle lanes, ADA-compliant sidewalks, and a multiuse path. For nearby residents and business owners, the practical takeaway is simple: this is a live construction zone now, and the corridor is likely to stay disrupted through late 2027.
