COLUMBUS, Ind. – A historic bridge in Bartholomew County is closed indefinitely after being deemed unsafe during a recent inspection.
Bridge #73 over the Flatrock River on County Road 900 North between County Roads 200 and 300 East was closed indefinitely on Monday morning.
According to County Engineer Danny Hollander, significant rust on the structure has left a lack of confidence in the safety of the bridge.
Hollander mentioned that repairs look “not promising” and estimates repairs at $6 million. When county commissioners asked about a bridge replacement, Hollander announced that the nearly 100-year-old bridge has been deemed historically significant, and the structure must be rehabbed.
As for now, motorists should use alternate routes, as repairs have not been planned at the time of reporting.