Colfax Avenue Streetscape Improvements

Project Purpose

The City of South Bend will be making streetscape improvements to Colfax Avenue to encourage investment, promote safety, calm traffic, and improve the active transportation network.

Project Scope

Streetscape enhancements will be made to Colfax Avenue between the St. Joseph River and Eddy Street. The planned scope is as follows:

St. Joseph River to west of Hill Street (Primary Project Area)

• Replacement of curbs, sidewalks, driveway approaches, and street paving
• New storm sewer
• Raised intersections at Sycamore and Hill Streets with corner pedestrian safety bumpouts
• Raised crosswalk with median refuge at East Race
• Shared use (pedestrian/bicyclist) path
• Pedestrian-scale ornamental lighting
• Street trees
• Benches
• Bike racks

West of Hill Street to Eddy Street (Secondary Project Area)

• Street paving
• Revisions to lane striping
• Targeted driveway approach replacement
  

Colfax Avenue Bridge Area

In a separate 2026 project, St. Joseph County plans to rebuild the Colfax Avenue bridge over the St. Joseph River and the Colfax Avenue-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard intersection.

Project Schedule

Construction will occur block-by-block, tentatively beginning spring 2026. Colfax Avenue is to fully reopen to traffic by early September, with full project completion by the end of October.

Property Access

Portions of Colfax Avenue and its intersections will close during construction, but to the degree possible, access to properties will be maintained throughout the project. Use of driveway approaches will be restricted during removal, installation, and the concrete curing period after installation. Every effort will be made to minimize interruption to property access for businesses, residents, and deliveries.