Indiana Department of Transportation officials say preliminary work has begun on Sherman Minton Bridge repair project.The project's contractor has pledged to have the span re-opened by early March.The Sherman Minton Bridge was shut down September 9 after a crack was discovered in a load-bearing support.Last-month, Louisville-based Hall Contracting won the bid to reinforce the span. Some 2.4 million pounds of steel are being cast for the project, and Hall is installing platforms that will allow crews to work under the bridge.INDOT spokesman Will Wingfield says the countdown for Hall to complete the work began more than two weeks ago."The clock is ticking, and there’s severe pressure on Hall Contracting to get the work done. Not only in terms of damages that they would be liable for ($100,000 per day) if they don’t meet that 135 day schedule, but also the incentives of $100,000 per day. That is to my knowledge the highest incentives that INDOT has ever put on a contract," Wingfield said.Hall Contracting says it can have the project completed by March 2nd, if weather permits, at a total cost of $13.9 million.(Photo by Erica Peterson)
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.