Woodhurst Sewer and Stormwater Relief

Page last updated March 19, 2025

Traffic Alert: Intersection of Old Mill Road and Fairfax Avenue is closed to traffic. It is expected to open this Spring 2025.

As residents in the neighborhood know, there have been sewer back-ups and street flooding throughout the years. This project aims to combat flooding and combined sewage overflow (CSO) in the Woodhurst area, in addition to the surrounding neighborhoods.

Project Updates

Crews are working to restore the street north of the Synagogue along Old Mill Road following the installation of storm and sanitary structures. Crews are planning to install structures the last two weeks of January depending on the weather. Concrete will hopefully occur after that time on the intersect.

Street & Lane Closures

Road Closures

Starting August 26, 2024, the intersection at Fairfax Avenue and Old Mil Road will be closed due to construction. It will remain closed until structures are set in place.

Project Overview

What will the project entail?

The 48” sanitary sewer pipe installation will convey CSO from the St. Mary’s River to the new weather pump station which will then pump flows to the 3RPORT (tunnel) system.

The 60” stormwater sewer pipe installation will convey storm flows to the new stormwater pump station to protect the surrounding residential and institutional areas from stormwater flooding and high river events. The installation of a new pump station will eliminate the constant need for temporary pumping during flooding events.

This project will keep more than 15 million gallons of combined sewage out of the St. Mary’s River each year once it is completed.

What are CSOs?

In a combined sewer system, wastewater and stormwater flow through the same pipes. The combination of both flows can overwhelm the combined sewage system causing an outfall into nearby waterbodies. These outfalls are called CSOs.

CSOs are a major pollution and public health concern since they can contain bacteria and other toxic substances. They pose a danger to people, pets, and plants.

City Utilities, in compliance with the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, has implemented a combined sewer outflow (CSO) Long Term Control Plan to reduce the volume of combined sewage that is discharged into the waterways within the City of Fort Wayne.

Satelite image showing project area and where new infrastructure will be built.