GREENE CO., Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The Richland-Plummer Creek Bridge has been leading one-lane traffic on South Basline Road in Bloomfield since 1883.
Greene County Commissioner Nathan Abrams said the bridge has seen its fair share of damage through the years.
“It’s been here for years and years. It’s been shut down numerous times for repairs and rehab and things like that,” he said.
According to Abrams, a box truck recently drove through the bridge not knowing that it was too tall for the cover. It left damage behind.
The historical bridge can only hold three tons in weight, and has become a hazard. He said this is especially due to the high amounts of traffic the bridge sees on a daily basis.
“I don’t think people know how much their vehicles weigh anymore and they overload the bridge quite regularly,” Abrams said.
In order to keep the bridge in tact, all Greene County Commissioners have developed the idea to preserve the bridge by making it for foot-traffic only and creating a new bridge for traffic.
“We just want to save it to preserve it so that everybody can have a chance to come see it and take the vehicle traffic off of it and turn it into a walking bridge,” he said.
The project has the support of council and is in the preliminary stages. Abrams said he hopes the project can begin in the spring.
It is expected to cost $4.6 million dollars with aid and a 20% contribution from the county.
The project would take five years.
