Bridge project picks up steam (09/05/06)

A bridge over Brooks Creek in Knox Township that is headed for a new home in east Portland has been dismantled and taken to Pierceton.

Dan Watson, Jay County Engineer, told commissioners this morning the bridge is being repaired by the John Camden Construction Co., Pierceton, and will be brought back to Portland in about four weeks. It will then be reassembled and put in place as a pedestrian/bike walkway over the Salamonie River connecting Weiler-Wilson Park and Hudson Family Park. The bridge is expected to be put in place over the Salamonie River just east of the Wayne Street bridge.

Watson told commissioners Milo Miller Jr., Gary Theurer, and Faron Parr that a plaque on the bridge will indicate the 102-foot structure was constructed in 1908 by the Attica Bridge Co.

Additionally today, Watson discussed with the commissioners the proposed detour around road construction on Ind. 67 between county roads 125 South and 300 West.

"They have 30 days to do the work, but I don't think it will take them that long," Watson said.

The work, which was expected to begin today, will be delayed, Watson said late this morning, because a buried phone cable was discovered and will have to be relocated before construction can begin.

Watson said he is concerned that some heavy vehicles will use county roads to get around the construction site.

He also said that the state has agreed to repave county road 400 South, used in the recent detour around construction near the Jay County Landfill. Any damage done to nearby roads because of increased traffic will also be repaired by the state in the latest project, he said.[[In-content Ad]]