|
Angie Fegaras, spokeswoman for the Indiana Department of Transportation, stopped short of calling the bridge unsafe, saying only that the decision to close Cline was made "as a precautionary safety measure for the motoring public."
The road closure between Calumet Avenue in Hammond and Michigan Avenue in East Chicago, specifically the segment over the Indiana Harbor Canal, will affect 35,000 motorists who take Cline, also known as Indiana 912, each day.
According to Fegaras, the report by URS Corp. found that parts of the bridge had corroded faster than expected due to a combination of the region's weather, industrial air pollution and the extensive use of road salt.
She said the report recommended that INDOT set lower weight limits for vehicles traveling on Cline.
INDOT is working with URS to continue its evaluation of the bridge structure. INDOT will come up with a plan of action for the bridge based on the results of the examination.
"Our first review of the report concerned us enough to err on the side of caution and close the bridge," Fegaras said.
Fegaras said URS will also work with state highway officials to determine a safe load or weight limit for the bridge. Indiana law sets the limit at 80,000 pounds.
Structural engineer Jerry Frost says the decision to shut down Cline Avenue indicates there was a potential for the bridge to fail.
"If you don't expect it to fail locally or catastrophically you'd keep it open," Frost said.
"But if you think the bridge is unsafe you close it," said Frost, who led a team that completed a detailed inspection and analysis of the 11.69-mile state road four years ago.
Frost, who now runs Frost Engineering in Granger, said his inspection team found significant corrosion of the steel strands that work with concrete to hold the bridge up.
"There were areas of the bridge where a few of the steel tendons were completely lost," said Frost, adding that each section has hundreds of tendons embedded in concrete.
Frost said that based on the inspection's findings, he recommended INDOT inspect the bridge every 12 months instead of every two years.
Significant corroding of the steel tendons might also prompt INDOT to lower the truck load weights. "That could have a big economic impact on businesses that move heavy loads, like steel companies," Frost said
But as of Friday, Katie Patterson, spokeswoman for ArcelorMittal steel located off of Cline, said the company did not foresee any business loss.
She said the East Chicago steel plant has advised employees of the alternate routes recommended by INDOT.
Casinos and their patrons were scrambling, as well.
"We were caught by surprise by the road closure," said Larry Buck, vice president and general manager of the Majestic Star Casinos in Gary's Buffington Harbor.
Two-thirds of the casinos' customers arrive by accessing Cline from Interstate 94.
"What we're most concerned about is the state getting detour signs up quickly," Buck said.
"Because if people from Chicago get frustrated they won't go to any of the three properties," Buck said referring to the Majestic Star casinos and two competing casinos -- Ameristar in East Chicago and the Horseshoe in Hammond.
Ameristar spokesman Reggie Dotson said the casino is working with state and local authorities to help minimize the impact of the closure.
Docked on Lake Michigan east of the Cline Avenue, Ameristar, said Dotson, will continue to work to ensure safe travel to and from the property for its employees and guests.
_________________
http://calumethighschoolgary.ning.com/
|
Login
FAQ
Search
