VIGO CO., Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— Hasselburger Bridge in Northern Vigo County has been under construction since March of this year, and now it’s one major step closer to being completed.
Pilings have been added so the bridge can have a strong foundation and structural support for when vehicles travel over it. These pilings are hammered down until they reach solid rock underground so that they can’t shift or move as water travels under the bridge and vehicles travel over it.
The next step for the bridge will be the concrete structure that will go around the pilings, so the foundation of the bridge will be completed. One major difference this bridge will have compared to the old one, built in 1919, will be how the new bridge will be a clear span bridge. The previous bridge had a center support that was in the middle of Otter Creek that the bridge travels over.
Assistant County Engineer for Vigo County, Neil Costello, says this bridge, being a clear span bridge, will greatly improve the area.
“The prior bridge had a center support, which frequently caused log jams and debris pile-ups during flooding periods,” Costello said. “This bridge won’t have that. We expect a lot better water to flow through here, less flooding, hopefully less flooding of the roadway.”
The bridge is currently scheduled to be completed on time at the end of the year, with weather permitting.
