Hartford City Prepares for $8.9 Million Highway 3 North Reconstruction

From the Hartford City Common Council meetings on January 5, 2026 and March 2, 2026

Hartford City is gearing up for a major road reconstruction project on Highway 3 North, stretching from Franklin Street to Park Avenue, with construction scheduled for 2027. The total estimated cost is $8.9 million, with roughly $4.5 million of that going toward relocating utilities under the road.

The Indiana Department of Transportation is footing most of the utility bill through hardship grants: $2.5 million for the Water Department and $1.9 million for the Wastewater Department. The city's share comes to $150,000 and $252,000, respectively. Hartford City will also fund a sidewalk extension from Park Avenue north to the Sav-A-Lot parking lot on the west side of the highway, estimated at $70,000.

To prepare, the council held a public hearing on January 5 and gave first reading to Ordinance 2026-01 to vacate the public alley behind The Pit Stop. On March 2, a right-of-way project by Terrazon Group was approved to begin June 30, 2026, with an estimated 50-day duration. Travis Williamson of the Wastewater Treatment Plant presented the project details to council.

Residents along Highway 3 North should expect right-of-way work starting this summer, ahead of full construction next year.

Source: Hartford City Common Council Minutes, January 5, 2026 (hartfordcity.net) and March 2, 2026 (hartfordcity.net)