NEW ALBANY, IN (WAVE) - Commuters will have to deal with the Sherman Minton Bridge closure for at least another six months. That's if winter weather doesn't delay repairs that are estimated to cost $20 million.
Engineers say the bridge needs to be reinforced and will remain shutdown until the project is complete.
"It could be more, it could be less," said Governor Mitch Daniels (R-IN).
Daniels isn't just talking dollars and cents. He is also concerned about project completion, so officials are offering incentives to get the job done.
"The contractor will be able to earn up to $5 million at $100,000 a day if we're beating the timetable," Daniels said.
Even though the initial two-and-half inch crack that caused the closing is repaired, inspectors found some sort of problem in nearly half of the weld sites.
"It doesn't make much sense to have people on it while you're just starting to repair it," said Governor Steve Beshear (D-KY).
Bids will be welcomed Monday to get the project on the fast-track. Officials plan to select a contractor by mid-October.
New steel plating will be installed along the bridge ties that run horizontally along the entire bridge to make the bridge safer and reliable. The repairs will give the bridge at least 20 more years of useful life.
"You're going to have a heavier, and I'm told much stronger structure than we started with," Daniels said.
State money will pay for most of the project. The Federal Highway Administraion plans to chip in around $5 million or up to 25%. Engineers say as of today, it has cost $6 million to $7 million for inspections and repairs. That total is in addition to the $20 million.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer released a statement saying, "I'm pleased that we have a plan to repair the bridge and get it reopened. Commuters and businesses will have to live with traffic inconveniences for up to six more months, but it's better than the alternative of having the bridge closed for years."
Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) said, "The Sherman Minton does not need extensive repairs which is great news for our community. A timeframe of six months is much better than several years, however, it is still a long time for commuters and local businesses. A bipartisan coalition has come together to make this a top national priority and we remain committed to doing whatever it takes to expedite the process and get traffic moving across the bridge again."
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The external plates that will be added to the ties.
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