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County staff warn aging bridges may need long closures; foundation under review for bridge south of Route 6
Summary
Porter County staff reported foundation concerns for a bridge south of Route 6 (identified as Bridge 132200 West), noting the foundation dates to 1923 and warning that if piers fail the bridge could be closed more than a year while replacement occurs. The board discussed inspection priorities and possible monitoring techniques.
Porter County staff told the Stormwater Management Board they are evaluating the foundation of Bridge 132200 West, located just south of Route 6, after inspections identified concerns tied to a foundation that dates to 1923. Staff said the county is seeking a design scope from United Consulting and has contacted a supplier to accelerate needed components.
Staff said the bridge's substructure and piers require close evaluation; if the end piers are found unsatisfactory, staff said the county would need to replace piers and substructure, a process that could require the bridge to be closed for more than a year. Staff also discussed the possibility of performing some repairs in-house by bridge crews if inspections show the end piers are adequate.
Board members and staff discussed additional inspection techniques, including deflection measurements with precise instrumentation and surface scarification to expose underlying material. Staff noted those approaches can be costly and may be part of a prioritization program for similarly aged bridges across the county.
Participants placed the bridge concerns in context with recent traffic patterns: staff said traffic diverted from nearby closures and construction led heavier loads to routes not designed for them, which may have contributed to accelerated deterioration. The board discussed using engineering plans for bypass traffic and enforcing weight restrictions to limit damage to older structures.
Why it matters: an extended closure of a county bridge would affect local travel and require significant design and construction resources. Staff said the county will prioritize inspections and develop a replacement plan in priority order for similarly aged bridges.
Meeting context: the report was given as part of routine records updates. Staff named other bridge completions and schedule updates during the same report but singled out Bridge 132200 West for immediate attention.
