Hazel Dell Parkway bridge collapse

[I-57/Route 66 Fan]

Due to the ongoing floods.

[ilpt4u]

This is in Carmel, IN (just north of Indy).

Plenty of drone videos on facebook and youtube.
https://youtu.be/5MSjjKUypbA?is=w7g0tCb-gX7MHket
https://youtu.be/7fUjHX0HQjo?is=qc15ZnRqcIOmVB4C

Basically the flooded White River caused a creek to flow backwards with lots of flood water current, washed out one of the bridge abutments, and the rushing water cut thru a levy along the small creek to begin filling an active quarry site

In some ways, this is actually a good outcome, as this is diverting flood waters from flowing down river into Indianapolis, instead into a deep rock quarry. That said, I'm sure the quarry owners and employees aren't too thrilled

[ElishaGOtis]

This is in Carmel, IN (just north of Indy).

Plenty of drone videos on facebook and youtube.
https://youtu.be/5MSjjKUypbA?is=w7g0tCb-gX7MHket
https://youtu.be/7fUjHX0HQjo?is=qc15ZnRqcIOmVB4C

Basically the flooded White River caused a creek to flow backwards with lots of flood water current, washed out one of the bridge abutments, and the rushing water cut thru a levy along the small creek to begin filling an active quarry site

In some ways, this is actually a good outcome, as this is diverting flood waters from flowing down river into Indianapolis, instead into a deep rock quarry. That said, I'm sure the quarry owners and employees aren't too thrilled

Let's hope they got good insurance...

[Max Rockatansky]

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only person on this forum who is aware of the Flex Seal bucket autopsy. 

[cjw2001]

Here are some videos from the quarry side.

[Interstate 69 Fan]

These floods have been absolutely terrible to see in our area. 7 people have been fatally wounded because of the floods, and many more properties, buildings, and homes have been significantly damaged and/or destroyed.

There are many more locally owned roads around the Indianapolis area that are impassable - this'll take a while for INDOT to clean up on, and will probably be remembered for a long time yet.

[kalvado]

Carmel IN? Would it be rebuilt as a roundabout?

[cjw2001]

Carmel IN? Would it be rebuilt as a roundabout?

I do believe Carmel is more concerned with some immediate major issues.  Your roundabout joke is not on their list of concerns.

https://youarecurrent.com/2026/08/17/white-river-may-be-fully-diverted-into-carmel-quarry/

https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/carmel-warns-of-90-chance-major-sewer-line-will-collapse-after-flooding

[LilianaUwU]

Carmel IN? Would it be rebuilt as a roundabout?

People died.

[bwana39]

Due to the ongoing floods.

Doesn't appear the bridge collapsed. Technically the abutment collapsed. The bridge appears to have remained intact. It still does not change the fact the highway is closed and will require some MAJOR repairs. Every time I have seen a bridge hanging with the abutments missing, they do a quick repair then within just a handful of years replace the entire thing.

[cjw2001]

Due to the ongoing floods.

Doesn't appear the bridge collapsed. Technically the abutment collapsed. The bridge appears to have remained intact. It still does not change the fact the highway is closed and will require some MAJOR repairs. Every time I have seen a bridge hanging with the abutments missing, they do a quick repair then within just a handful of years replace the entire thing.

Damage has continued since the initial event and the bridge will be a total loss.

New press release from the City of Carmel:

CARMEL, Ind., Aug. 17, 2026 - Mayor Sue Finkam, City of Carmel leaders and Hamilton County Commissioner Christine Altman held a press conference today to share crucial safety updates and infrastructure status reports regarding flooding impacts.

Mayor Finkam briefed the community on this highly complex and evolving situation and potential new risks while emphasizing coordinated response efforts. "We will continue to work closely with county, state and federal agencies and private partners to coordinate remediation and response efforts," said Mayor Finkam. "We understand the severity of the damage, and while these are tough circumstances, we will remain honest and transparent to assure you that we are doing everything possible to mitigate this issue."

City Engineer Bradley Pease reported that floodwaters continue to reverse the flow of Blue Woods Creek towards the Martin Marietta quarry. "These floodwaters are cutting a channel back towards the White River. If the channel connects to the river, river water will divert into the channel, potentially causing a temporary drop in the riverbed water level until the water levels in the quarry and river equalize," Pease said. "Additionally, if this occurs, with the structural integrity of the bridge severely compromised, a high likelihood exists of collapse of the bridge into the creek bed and surrounding quarry area."

Hamilton County Commissioner Christine Altman confirmed that the Hazel Dell Parkway bridge is considered a total loss. Under local jurisdictional guidelines, the bridge structure itself is a county asset, while Hazel Dell Parkway is maintained by the City of Carmel. Commissioner Altman noted that state legislative provisions allow officials to expedite design and reconstruction contracts, emphasizing that county and city leadership are moving as quickly as possible while remaining cost-competitive.

Utility crews are also addressing force main pipes that carry sewage located eight to 10 feet below the original creek bed. "To address environmental discharging into the nearby quarry should the force mains fail under the shifting channel, we are beginning the process of the bypass solution to address the failure and this process could take several days," said Carmel Utilities Director Lane Young.

Young assured residents that the City's drinking water system remains safe and fully operational, despite the loss of certain production wells.

"The drinking water system remains fully intact and our supply remains safe, and we're continuing to monitor the situation," Young said.

[kalvado]

Carmel IN? Would it be rebuilt as a roundabout?

People died.

Any reference to casualties for the collapse? I just went through a few news pieces. A sewage truck was mentioned at some point, but looks like that mention is gone.

[I-57/Route 66 Fan]

Carmel IN? Would it be rebuilt as a roundabout?

People died.

Any reference to casualties for the collapse? I just went through a few news pieces. A sewage truck was mentioned at some point, but looks like that mention is gone.

Based on simple Google search, the bridge was empty.

[cjw2001]

Carmel IN? Would it be rebuilt as a roundabout?

People died.

Any reference to casualties for the collapse? I just went through a few news pieces. A sewage truck was mentioned at some point, but looks like that mention is gone.

7 people died in Indiana from the flooding, but fortunately none in this specific incident.

[kalvado]

Carmel IN? Would it be rebuilt as a roundabout?

People died.

Any reference to casualties for the collapse? I just went through a few news pieces. A sewage truck was mentioned at some point, but looks like that mention is gone.

7 people died in Indiana from the flooding, but fortunately none in this specific incident.

None in that county, actually.
How remote can things be before jokes are allowed?

[Max Rockatansky]

Carmel IN? Would it be rebuilt as a roundabout?

People died.

Any reference to casualties for the collapse? I just went through a few news pieces. A sewage truck was mentioned at some point, but looks like that mention is gone.

7 people died in Indiana from the flooding, but fortunately none in this specific incident.

None in that county, actually.
How remote can things be before jokes are allowed?

All jokes must contain references to the Flex Seal family of products.

[cjw2001]

Carmel IN? Would it be rebuilt as a roundabout?

People died.

Any reference to casualties for the collapse? I just went through a few news pieces. A sewage truck was mentioned at some point, but looks like that mention is gone.

7 people died in Indiana from the flooding, but fortunately none in this specific incident.

None in that county, actually.
How remote can things be before jokes are allowed?

The flooding impacts are quite local.  Have some respect for what people are dealing with.

Some new drone video

from yesterday...

from today... 

the quarry is well on its way to being filled.

[kalvado]

Carmel IN? Would it be rebuilt as a roundabout?

People died.

Any reference to casualties for the collapse? I just went through a few news pieces. A sewage truck was mentioned at some point, but looks like that mention is gone.

7 people died in Indiana from the flooding, but fortunately none in this specific incident.

None in that county, actually.
How remote can things be before jokes are allowed?

The flooding impacts are quite local.  Have some respect for what people are dealing with.

Some new drone video

from yesterday...

from today... 

the quarry is well on its way to being filled.

Does any of that excludes joking from your perspective?

[Scott5114]

Please place any unwanted waters in their original packaging and send to:

Lake Mead National Recreation Area
State Route 172
Boulder City, NV 89005

Thank you!

[ibthebigd]

When I see the Missippi and Ohio flood I think if only their was a water pipeline you could send water out west to Lake Mead.

[kalvado]

When I see the Missippi and Ohio flood I think if only their was a water pipeline you could send water out west to Lake Mead.

There are actually some plans. But such super project is a big can of worms

[cjw2001]

So far the City of Carmel and other responding resources have managed to save the two force mains that carry 90% of the city's wastewater to the treatment plant located just south of the incident.  These mains were underneath the flooded creek and were in danger of being breached.

https://www.carmel.in.gov/CivicSend/ViewMessage/Message/298224

[cjw2001]

Looks like the situation has stabilized with the water flow halted.   A temporary dam was built across the newly carved out channel where the creek bed used to be.

Local news is reporting around 40 people are out of work indefinitely at the quarry.

[triplemultiplex]

Largest Waterfall in Indiana History...
I wonder if that holds up.
Could have been something that briefly existed while Glacial Lake Maumee was draining into the Wabash River.

Regardless, spectacular sight amid an otherwise awful disaster.

[kphoger]

Largest Waterfall in Indiana History...
I wonder if that holds up.
Could have been something that briefly existed while Glacial Lake Maumee was draining into the Wabash River.

But it wasn't Indiana back then.