Info For
Skip to Content
Entrance to Taylor University

Town of Upland Will Be Awarded $1.4 Million INDOT Project

  • Published:
Town of Upland Welcome Sign

The Town of Upland has received word that the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will perform a $1.4 million upgrade to four blocks of downtown Upland streets and sidewalks in 2023.

The project will start on Upland’s Main Street at Railroad Street, north of the railroad overpass bridge, and go northward, crossing Washington and Anson Streets, concluding at Urban Street. Project plans are to replace and upgrade street paving, replace sidewalks and assuring sidewalks are ADA compliant, add street lightings and landscaping, addition of traffic calming measures, as well as the creation of parking on Main Street for local businesses.

According to John Bonham, Upland Town Council President, INDOT’s commitment marks the latest step in enhancement of Upland’s downtown area. In December, The Town of Upland received word of a $200,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to create a one-mile-long recreational trail on Upland’s near east side. Another grant awarded last fall totaling $268,000 was received from INDOT’s Community Crossings Grant that will help renovate eight sections of streets in the town yet this spring.

“We believe this project is further evidence that good things are happening in our community,” said Bonham. “We believe we have an amazing hometown and great neighbors. This is an exciting new development for all of us and for Taylor University. This allows our historic downtown area to receive an incredible upgrade that we believe will assist our efforts to facilitate the attraction of new businesses to our community.”

Upland was formed in the late 1860s by Jacob Bugher, who planned for it to be a depot point on the Indiana Central Railroad. The town was so named because it was believed to be the highest point on the rail line between Columbus, Ohio, and Chicago, Illinois (Source: Wikipedia). Taylor University moved from its original home in Fort Wayne to Upland during the peak of the natural gas boom. According to the 2010 census, Upland was home to 3,840 people.