Cline Ave (IN 912) viaduct bridge to be closed permanently, replacement in doubt

[mgk920]

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/12/cline-avenue-bridge-in-nw-indiana-may-be-closed-permanently.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ChicagoBreakingNews+%28Chicago+Breaking+News%29

Yowsah, that bridge is only about 20 years old!



Mike

[Alex]

So a page update is in order for our Indiana 912 guide. Which part of the road is closed? The article did not specify with much detail. Does that mean that the freeway now consists of two disconnected spurs, or did they shut down a much longer portion of the highway?

[Sykotyk]

Two issues.

1) When the state leased off the toll road, there was a provision regarding what type of upgrades/etc could be done to roads in the vicinity of the toll road. As a lot of people use the 94/912 as a bypass to the toll road on the western part of the state into Chicago (I did), is that a motivating factor in not replacing it?

And 2) is the closure financially motivated to give more business to the toll road along that stretch regardless of the usage of IN-912?

Sykotyk

[Brandon]

So a page update is in order for our Indiana 912 guide. Which part of the road is closed? The article did not specify with much detail. Does that mean that the freeway now consists of two disconnected spurs, or did they shut down a much longer portion of the highway?

It is a temporary closure due to the viaduct.  The closure is between US-41 (Calumet Ave) in Hammond and Michigan Ave in East Chicago. http://www.gcmtravel.com/gcm/motdRss.jsp

Either the viaduct will be repaired or it is will be torn down and rebuilt.

[froggie]

Some of the stories I've read suggest it may not be rebuilt in-kind, though...

[rawmustard]

Some of the stories I've read suggest it may not be rebuilt in-kind, though...

I wouldn't think they'd dare rebuild the bridge to current standards if indeed a design flaw is the problem. Hopefully a new design would last more than 30 years and require less patching.

[froggie]

In-kind meaning that they wouldn't be replacing the bridge in the existing location.  According to Stephen Summers (a NW Indiana resident) who posted elsewhere, INDOT has announced that they are NOT going to replace the bridge.  This is partially backed up by a local news story where an INDOT representative stated "It is not going to be rebuilt in the current shape and form, but we will do something."

[Hellfighter]

They'll put a plank bridge in it's place! 

[Alex]

I updated the Indiana 912 guide to reflect the closure.

[tdindy88]

Just saw a news article that states that Governor Daniels does plan on replacing the bridge but there is no specific timeline as to when.

[ssummers72]

Update:
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/article_05eff6e3-9d6e-56b5-a51d-7ed96f352568.html

It appears that parts of Cline Avenue will be demolished and replaced by surface streets and new ramps.

Stephen

[Hellfighter]

I don't understand why they want to downgrade IN-912 to a surface street?

[Scott5114]

I've read that it's for cost reasons, i.e. it doesn't make sense to spend the money to build a replacement bridge with the traffic levels IN 912 has.

[3467]

Looks like politics too. The GOP etablishment in Indianapolis has no incentibeto build it i the very democratic Lake county
Also Daniels sold the toll road I am sure they wont miss Cline Avenue extension
It didnt last long....I am sure there is a story there too

Illinois is funding teh Illiana studies looks like that is the futire not Cline Ave

[Chris]

That section only carries between 22,000 and 33,000 AADT. It's not much, but a little high for city street. The highest volumes are found approaching the US 20 cloverleaf. The closed section has six lanes.