Road Closures Scheduled for Dubois County Bridge Rehabilitation Projects

County Highway Engineer Levi Leffert offered some progress reports on the many bridge rehabilitation projects in progress throughout Dubois County. 

Bridge 78, located at County Road 600 West and Division Road over the Patoka River, is a particular focus for the department because of its higher traffic location. The bridge was closed on April 9 and repairs are on schedule. The full closure is expected to remain for up to 60 days with a reopening in early to mid-June. Blankenberger Brothers, Incorporated, the contractor hired to complete the work, is making an effort to reduce the closure duration. In his public comments, Leffert said, “We understand that is a big impact on the traveling public, so we’ll do what we can to get it open sooner, but no promises.” Portions of the bridge will be removed, so there is no access. The intersection immediately north of the bridge, where Division Road turns into County Road 620 West, will remain open during the full duration of the project. 

Bridge 107 located on St. Anthony Road North (2.7 miles south of Schnellville Road) and Bridge 240 located on St. Anthony Road West (0.38 miles south of Schnellville Road) were put out for bid as a bundled project and awarded to C&R Construction. The road is expected to close on or around May 7 to begin work, and signs will be posted. Both bridges will be closed simultaneously in an effort to minimize the duration of the closure and to reduce costs. 

Bridge 119 on Club Road (0.5 miles north of State Road 264) was closed on March 30 for demolition of the concrete deck and beams. Crews are completing repairs ahead of schedule, with an expected reopening before the last week of April. 

An upcoming bridge project is planned for Dubois Road NE (1.3 miles north of Dubois Cuzco Road). The small bridge structure is due for replacement, and repair schedules will be coordinated with Northeast Dubois Schools to minimize school disruption. 

The Bridge Safety Improvement Project, for which the county was awarded federal funding, will make safety improvements to bridges throughout the county. The Highway Department will be scoring the received Letters of Interest based on INDOT’s criteria. The county must be entered into a contract by August 1 or funding of approximately $3.8 million will be forfeited. 

For more information, visit the Highway Department webpage at www.duboiscountyin.org 

 - By Drew Hasselbring