County plans seven bridge projects in 2017

Following a busy 2016 build season that featured a number of bridge projects, the Putnam County Highway Department will work on seven more bridges this year.

County Highway Supervisor Mike Ricketts announced the projects to the county commissioners during their regular meeting on Monday.

Three of the bridges were announced among last year’s projects but were delayed for various reasons.

In Greencastle Township, Bridge 150 on County Road 200 South between Zinc Mill Road and 10th Street is slated for construction.

Bridge 215 on County Road 1125 South (Golf Course Road) in Cloverdale Township was in the design phase prior to last year’s build season and should be closer to fruition in 2017.

Bridge 165 is over a branch of Croy’s Creek on 1200 South in Washington Township.

Four other bridge projects were discussed publicly for the first time on Tuesday.

Bridge 240 is on County Road 800 North over Clear Creek in Jackson Township.

This bridge was the subject of a minor controversy several years ago when the weight limit signs disappeared several times. Built in 1925, it has been in serious condition for several years and thus bears only a three-ton weight limit.

County officials speculated at the time that the sign disappearance was the work of someone inconvenienced by the inability to use that section of the road with vehicles in excess of three tons. The idea is that with no signs posted, any damage or collapse of the bridge would be the liability of the county.

Also due for work this year are:

• Bridge 65 in Floyd Township carries County Road 400 North over Miller Creek, east of Heritage Lake and County Road 875 East.

• Bridge 135 in Marion Township is on County Road 300 South over a Little Deer Creek, just west of County Road 650 East.

• Bridge 136 is just upstream, on County Road 650 East, also in Marion Township.

A couple of prior bridge projects are also receiving finishing touches.

The commissioners approved a change order for Bridge 248 on County Road 650 East over Big Walnut in Jackson Township. The move adds two additional days to the work schedule.

The second change order is for the replacement to Crowe’s Bridge on County Road 100 East over Big Walnut in Greencastle Township.

An additional $6,500 was added for a second application of concrete sealant. The additional coat was not initially recommended by the Indiana Department of Transportation and was not part of the original job.

INDOT has since recommended the additional coat, so the county is taking the extra step to protect its new structure.