INDOT puts Leeper Park Bridge repair on fast track

March 21, 2012|By John Paul (jpaul@wsbt.com)Click here to follow John on Twitter | WSBT-TV Reporter

SOUTH BEND — It’s hard to miss the warnings and signs along S.R. 933 in South Bend at the Leeper Park Bridge. Each warning/sign is supposed to give drivers enough time to find a detour if their vehicle and load is over 10 tons.

That weight limit is in effect for the Leeper Park Bridge until the Indiana Department of Transportation fixes it. INDOT wants repairs to the bridge and railings completed by September.

INDOT put the weight restrictions in place because of cracks in the span and railings. Those cracks ... big and small ... are everywhere.

“It’s not that the bridge is unsafe,” said Matt Deitchley, INDOT spokesperson. "We just don’t want any more damage to happen before we get it all fixed up.”

Wednesday afternoon, South Bend Police watched as a heavy truck used the bridge to cross the St. Joseph River. The office then stopped the driver.

Since January, a South Bend Police spokesperson said more than 60 drivers were cited for using the brige, but police can't catch every errant truck driver.

“As you can see – there are going to be violators,” Deitchley said. “We ask people to not do that.”

REPAIR PLAN

INDOT outlined their plans during a public meeting Wednesday, including plans to keep the bridge open during construction. Deitchley expects there will be lane restrictions.

What we don’t know: The effects on the bridge and construction If drivers continue breaking the law.

Deitchley said drivers could lose their commercial driver’s license if they ignore the restrictions.

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