The Marshall County Commissioners were updated on the issues with the Jefferson Street Bridge over the Yellow River during their meeting Monday.
Michael Obergfell from USI Consultants presented photos which show a void of 10 to 15 feet long and approximately 4 to 5 feet deep under the northwest apron and sidewalk for the bridge.
Obergfell said the bridge was last rehabbed in 1986. He said a flaw in the design and an issue with a city storm sewer has caused a major erosion concern. The current design has no mud wall to hold back the fill. A leaking storm sewer pipe has washed out the fill and rip rap causing the sidewalk and roadway to begin to sink. He noted that a major gas line runs under the roadway and if and concert shifted of fell it could sever the gas main causing additional issues.
Beer and Slabaugh from Nappanee has looked at the problems and estimated $100,000 to fix all four corner of the bridge. USI said with inspections and a cushion the project won’t exceed $130,000.
USI completed the bridge inspections two years ago and only minor erosion was noted with no concerns. Obergfell said, “The last 12 to 24 months has exacerbated the issue.”
The commissioners declared the bridge issue to be an emergency and decided to move forward with the repairs. The project will require the bridge to be completely closed for 3 to 4 weeks. The Jefferson Street Bridge will close at 6 a.m. on Thursday and remain closed until the project is completed. The detour for the project will be to use Baker or Garro Streets to get over the river.
