ROYAL CENTER — The Cass County Highway Department’s goal is to finish two county-funded bridge replacements west of Royal Center this year.
LaPorte Construction Co. workers recently knocked out the small structure over Fredericks Ditch on Center Street while a crew from the same company is within three weeks of finishing the bridge that carries 650N over Strubhar Ditch just east of 900W.
“Things are really starting to take shape now,” Jeff Smith, the county highway department’s project manager, said of the bridge on 650N.
New beams were put in place by a crane Wednesday, and the concrete deck that is replacing the steel grating is scheduled for pouring on Tuesday, as long as the rain holds off. Already workers are dealing with sloppy, muddy conditions.
In one of the loudest portions of the projects, Royal Center area residents will hear a seven-ton diesel hammer driving new bridge pilings some 45 feet into the ground.
Smith is hoping to get the approaches to both bridges down before asphalt plants close for the winter. With the 650N structure expected to be finished shortly after Thanksgiving, that should not be an issue, but in a worst-case scenario, the Center Street bridge would have gravel approaches until spring, he said. The rest of the project is on schedule for opening in six weeks.
Both bridges were in need of repair. Abutments had started to lean and were sinking into the ground. They dated to the 1930s, Smith said.
The county determines a bridge needs to be replaced by the state-required inspections that are conducted every two years.
Each bridge is costing the county about $270,000.
The new bridges have a life expectancy of between 60 and 80 years, if they’re properly cared for, Smith said.
• Kevin Lilly is news editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at 574-732-5117 or kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com.
Local News
Related Photos
-
BRIDGE OUT: Workers spent two days this week demolishing the small bridge over Fredericks Ditch on Center Street in Royal Center. The county hopes to have the $270,000 project finished by the end of the year.
Discussion
Bridges set for completion this year
Replacements will cost the county more than $500,000
- Local News
-
-
Eyes on the skies: Grissom air traffic crews super busy with Super Bowl
As Indianapolis gears up for the Super Bowl, Grissom Air Reserve Base air traffic controllers are preparing for a full-on blitz of game-bound fans flying through their airspace.
-
‘Clerical error’ might cost Logan $20K
A “clerical error” in calculating retirement benefits may cost Logansport $20,000, city officials say.
-
Jurors convict Flora man of attempted rape
Jurors took just four hours Thursday afternoon to convict a Flora man of attempted rape, criminal confinement, battery and receiving stolen property.
-
LHS’ video clip will rock big screens in Indy
About 40 Logansport High School students - and their non-dancing principal - will hit the big screens Friday.
-
City seeks trial in Fire Stone suit
Attorneys representing Logansport have asked for a jury trial to settle the city’s long-running dispute with the owner of Fire Stone Grill.
-
Peru to annex 1,000 acres
In 2007, the city of Peru annexed 66 acres near U.S. 24 with hopes of enticing business to the area. But Peru Mayor Jim Walker says that was just the beginning.
-
Space issues at Pioneer Elementary push students into hallways, closets
Kindergartner Avery Smith and his literacy coach played a game Tuesday in a hallway at Pioneer Elementary School.
-
Three interested in Logan police pension board
Three candidates with ties to the Logansport Police Department are interested in serving on the Police Pension Board — a board in need of members after a falling out with Mayor Ted Franklin.
-
1 injured in semi-car collision
A 55-year-old Walton man was “doing fairly well” Tuesday night following an early morning crash where his car was hit by a semitrailer, a spokesman for the Miami County Sheriff’s Department said.
-
Walton man severely injured in crash
A 55-year-old Walton man was transported to a Kokomo hospital early Tuesday with massive head and upper body injuries after hitting a semi on U.S. 31.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
