Indiana 212 bridge in LaPorte County closed due to 'deficiencies'

Rick A. Richards, The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - The Indiana Department of Transportation has closed the Indiana 212 bridge over the South Shore commuter railroad tracks because of concerns over "deficiencies" in the bridge.

INDOT made the announcement Friday, and said the decision was made after a routine inspection showed "potential defects."

Bridges in Indiana have been undergoing added inspections since the collapse of a bridge across the Mississippi River in Minneapolis last week in which at least seven people died and dozens more were injured.

As a result, said spokeswoman Angela Fegaras of the La Porte District office of INDOT, the agency "elected to close the bridge over the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District to traffic as a precautionary measure until a more detailed investigation can take place."

A week ago, the bridge was identified by INDOT as one of five La Porte County bridges deemed to be deficient.

The five worst bridges, including the Indiana 212 bridge, are considered to be in serious or poor condition. The Indiana 212 bridge has signs of deterioration of connections between the three sections of the bridge are evident, according to INDOT. None of the other bridges has been closed.

The other bridges listed in serious or poor condition in La Porte County are on U.S. 35 about 2.5 miles south of U.S. 6 near Kingsbury; on Indiana 8 west of Indiana 39; on U.S. 421 about three miles north of Indiana 2; and on U.S. 421 about a mile south of Interstate 94.

INDOT said Friday that its inspectors will conduct a full examination of the Indiana 212 bridge over the next few weeks to determine if any temporary measures can be taken until a permanent solution is made.

The agency said it has plans to replace the bridge.

A detour has been posted that will direct northbound traffic to U.S. 35 north to U.S. 12 east. Southbound traffic will be directed to U.S. 12 west to U.S. 35 south.