The Indiana Department of Transportation is currently developing plans to replace the bridge on US 35, just a half-mile south of US 30 in Starke County. The project carries an estimated cost of $5 million, but INDOT has said they plan to use state and federal funds for construction.
INDOT says the current structure is deteriorating, and the project would improve the operation while increasing the required vertical clearance over the CSX railroad beneath the bridge. They say the construction would require approximately 1.35 acres of new permanent right-of-way, but no displacement of residents or businesses would be involved in the project.
During construction, traffic would likely be detoured using US 35 to State Road 8, then to State Road 39 to US 30. Access to all adjacent properties would be provided at all times throughout the construction’s duration.
Anyone interested in doing so may request a public hearing or express their concerns by submitting comments to the attention of Mary Wright, Public Hearing Examiner at INDOT in Room N642 at 100 North Senate Avenue, Indianapolis, on or before Friday, June 29.
INDOT has not released any information on when they expect construction to begin because they are currently waiting to see if state and federal funds are available for the project.
