Mayor Ballard Kicks Off Year-Long Bridge Rehabilitation Project Nearly Ten Thousand Motorists Impacted by Construction

Mayor Ballard, Department of Public Works Director David Sherman and the community gathered together today to kick off the rehabilitation of the Morris Street Bridge over the White River. The bridge will close for one year starting November 16. Signs will be posted along the roadway notifying motorists of the suggested detour route listed below.

“The Morris Street Bridge project is the first among many bridges to be rehabilitated through the RebuildIndy initiative,” said Mayor Ballard. “Nearly ten thousand motorists travel over the 81-year-old bridge each day, which means improvements to this bridge are more than just simple infrastructure improvements; they are a matter of public safety on the southwest side.”

Currently, the bridge deck superstructure and support columns are deteriorating. This project will rehabilitate or replace the existing columns. The bridge deck, beams and surface also will be replaced, and minor work on the arches and piers will be completed. Additionally, sidewalks, railings and lighting along the bridge will be replaced.

“This project will benefit the City in a number of ways,” said David Sherman, DPW director. “By providing better driving conditions for commuters and improving pedestrian safety, the Morris Street Bridge project will create the opportunity to increase economic development opportunities in the area, leading to more jobs for the southwest corner of the City.”

The Morris Street Bridge project, designed by Butler, Fairman & Seifert and constructed by Beaty Construction, costs $7.5 million and is financed with 80 percent federal funding.

For more information about the RebuildIndy program, visit www.indy.gov/RebuildIndy. To request a RebuildIndy project in your area, call the Mayor’s Action Center at (317) 327-4MAC (4622). You can also follow RebuildIndy project updates on Twitter @RebuildIndy.



MORRIS STREET BRIDGE DETOUR ROUTE:

· Kentucky Avenue

· McCarty Street

· West Street (for southbound)

· Missouri Street (for north bound)