Northbound I-65 bridge in Lafayette closed until mid-September

Northbound I-65 from Lebanon to Lafayette has been closed since Aug. 7, when engineers noticed one end of the center bridge pier had sunk 9 inches.

The long-term closure followed a previous 28-hour shutdown so steel supports could be installed to stabilize the bridge after unusual movement was observed Aug. 4.

Construction caused the problem, INDOT said.

The state hired Walsh Construction Co. of Crown Point at a cost of $82.8 million to widen and rehabilitate I-65 between Indiana 25 and Indiana 38.

One end of the center bridge pier sank 9 inches between 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and noon Friday, INDOT spokesman Will Wingfield said at an Aug. 10 press conference.

The movement began after the contractor on Aug. 3 began driving steel piles to widen the existing piers and sheet piling to work below the Wildcat Creek waterline, he said.

The piles pierced water-tight soils and hit a sandy layer where water was under pressure. The sand and/or water then percolated up from beneath the bridge pier, causing it to tilt.