FORT WAYNE, Ind. (DSFW) — In a bold move to address mounting traffic concerns, officials with Fort Wayne FC announced a partnership with the Indiana Department of Transportation to construct a brand-new interstate exit dedicated solely to stadium traffic.
The proposed exit — to be designated Exit 307 — will be located just south of the club’s developing stadium site along Interstate 69. Unlike traditional exits, this will function as a one-way, exit-only lane, specifically designed to funnel fans directly from the interstate into the venue. Notably, there will be no re-entry access back onto I-69 from this point.
A Rapid Response to Opening Night Gridlock
The announcement comes just days after Fort Wayne FC’s first match at the site drew some fans and traffic. Residents along Bass Road reported bumper-to-bumper congestion, with some unable to leave their own driveways for extended periods as vehicles clogged the corridor leading to the stadium.
City officials described the situation as “unsustainable” if left unaddressed.
“We saw firsthand the passion of this city for soccer — but we also saw the strain it placed on surrounding infrastructure,” said club owner Mark Music. “This exit is about respecting both our fans’ experience and our neighbors’ quality of life. We’re not waiting around to fix it.”
Privately Backed, Publicly Built
In an unusual twist, Music confirmed he will privately contribute funding to the state to accelerate construction timelines — a move that officials say will help fast-track the project ahead of schedule.
“We believe in this stadium, and we believe in doing things the right way,” Music added. “If that means stepping up financially to get this done before opening day, then that’s what we’ll do.”
Club CEO Scott Sproat emphasized the importance of urgency, noting that the new exit is being developed with a target completion date of July 4, aligning with the stadium’s highly anticipated self proclaimed “grand opening”.
“This isn’t just a convenience feature — it’s a necessity,” Sproat said. “Our goal is to create a seamless arrival experience for fans while eliminating traffic spillover into nearby neighborhoods. Exit 307 will fundamentally change how people access the stadium.”
Sproat went on to add that there will be an additional “toll-like” fee to use the exit ramp in addition to the parking rate.
A Unique Traffic Solution
Transportation planners say the exit-only design is intentional, preventing it from becoming a general-use interchange and instead keeping its purpose tightly focused on event traffic. Drivers leaving the stadium will still need to utilize existing roadways — though officials hinted that additional traffic flow improvements may follow.
INDOT representatives called the partnership “innovative,” noting that collaborations like this could serve as a model for future high-traffic event venues across the state.
For now, construction crews are expected to mobilize immediately, with early groundwork beginning in the coming weeks. If completed on schedule, fans attending Fort Wayne FC matches this summer may find their commute drastically improved — and residents along Bass Road may finally get some relief.
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