Beam falls from bridge during inspection Wednesday

Bridge 154 in eastern Greencastle Township is down to one lane indefinitely after one of its beams fell into Deer Creek during an inspection Wednesday.

Courtesy photos

The inspection of Putnam County bridges for state and federal requirements began inauspiciously on Wednesday.

While engineers from United Consulting were inspecting Bridge 154 on County Road 300 South, just the second bridge of the study, a beam fell off the iron truss bridge and into the creek.

As a result, one lane of the bridge will be closed until further notice.

“The bridge will be down to one lane indefinitely,” County Engineer Jim Peck said. “The bridge can and should be restored, but it will take time and money.”

The eastbound side of the bridge is the affected lane.

The bridge crosses Deer Creek east of County Road 275 East (Airport Road).

The county and United Consulting have undertaken the inspection and inventory to meet the requirements of the Indiana Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration.

Peck said the initial round of inspections will focus on iron and covered bridges. Inspections are expected to occur through March and April, with a final report on the findings to the Putnam County Commissioners in August.