INDIANAPOLIS — After hearing calls from the community and an extensive engineering review, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) is taking steps to accelerate the 16th Street Bridge construction timeline as much as possible. Indy DPW project managers are working with construction contractors on a plan to expand the workforce and daily hours dedicated to this project, as well as providing additional oversight minimize downtime.
A full closure is expected to begin in June, with contractors working to complete the necessary repairs and rehabilitation on the shortest possible timeline within the originally anticipated 24-month closure period.
Indy DPW evaluated other options for this bridge, including a partial closure. However, engineering experts believe the safety risk is far too great to leave the bridge open. This bridge is currently in a state of disrepair warranting significant attention. It is classified in “fair” condition, the second lowest classification for a bridge. In accordance with Indiana law, a historic bridge like this must be preserved and maintained, largely in its original form. Given the requirement to preserve the structure, Indy DPW is working to address all significant concerns in order to minimize the frequency of bridge-related disruptions in the future.
The 16th Street Bridge was opened in the late 1940s, replacing the old Emrichsville Bridge. While Indy DPW has performed maintenance of this bridge since its construction the department does not have a record of any significant rehabilitation efforts.