Alley Ford Bridge, Franklin County bridge #48 over Pipe Creek, is going to be renovated to the tune of an estimated $830,000. It will be funded with local and federal funds.
“The project will restore functionality and safety to the historical structure by replacing deteriorated members and installing a steel grid deck,” according to a legal notice filed by the Federal Highway and the Indiana Department of Transportation.
The highway and transportation people expect it to have no significant impact to wetlands in the project area. It is thereby exempt from what appears to be proving the project will not have a significant impact to the adjoining wetlands. Besides carrying Pipe Creek Road over the creek, low ag fields on the western side of the crossing which apparently was known as Alley Ford, are prone to flooding.
Alley Ford Bridge is a riveted pratt through steel truss, 105 feet long and was built in 1927. Clark Deitz, Inc. has been retained by Franklin County to provide engineering services for this project.
The bridge is currently closed due to structural failure. Among other damage the concrete on the southeast stanchion is cracked and the steel girders are rusted through.
Local residents are anxious to get the bridge back in service. The detour presently in place runs from Haytown Hill Road, along Pipe Creek to where it ends at Silver Creek Road, then along Silver Creek Road to Snail Creek, a distance of around five miles.
Anyone interested in either requesting a public hearing on the project or giving their opinion have until Wednesday, February 4, 2009 to do so. Franklin County Auditor’s Office has copies of the environmental documents and preliminary plans for public inspection. Their number is 765 647-4631.
The engineer to contact at Clark Deitz in Indianapolis is Kevin R. Loisell, P.E. Phone 317 844-8900 or email kevin.loiselle@clark-dietz.com.
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