Lindberg road bridge plans move forward

Construction plans to fix the ride along Lindberg Road in West Lafayette are still a few years away. Right now construction on the Lindberg Bridge is scheduled to begin early 2011. It's expected to be completed in the spring of 2012.

For people that travel down Lindberg road in West Lafayette it is one big bumpy mess. The City of West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County are planning a $7 million dollar bridge to fix it.
 

"It just takes a long time to plan. It takes a long time to do it, and do it right. That's been my focus the whole time. I want to make sure that what we do here is going to be suitable for that particular road" said, West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis.
 

Mayor Dennis said there has been discussion about paving over the road once more. He said "That's not a viable option, because it would only make the road heavier."
 

"The reality of it is, the road is sinking. The road itself is not just sinking both from East to West, its sinking from North to South as well," said Dennis.
 

Making sure the natural health of the Celery Bog is maintained is another reason why the bridge plans seem to be inching along.
 

Tippecanoe County Commissioner John Knochel said "A lot of it has to do with some of the environmental concerns, that are being taken in to consideration. Anytime that you are working with those it takes alot of time."
 

Mayor Dennis said the city and the county are aware that more environmental survey's are needed in the area. He said both are committed to the idea of a bridge the will require minimal upkeep.
 

"Quite clearly it has to be something that's going to last. The bridge design that we feel will work is basically a slab bridge, on top of pile-ons. That would be easy to maintain and has a significant amount of endurance", said Dennis.
 

This is the first time the City of West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County have worked together on a project. Both parties say before any final decisions are made there will be a significant amount of public input.