Elkhart, IN : Historic Goshen bridge closed following hit-and-run crash on Monday August 29, 2016

Goshen’s historical bridge on Indiana Avenue is closed after being damaged in a hit-and-run crash over the weekend.

The red iron bridge known as the Indiana Avenue Bridge runs over the Elkhart River on the north side of the city. On Monday morning, barricades had been placed on both sides of the bridge alerting traffic of the closed structure.

Tom Rushlow, a project engineer with Elkhart County, said a police officer noticed the bridge had been damaged early morning Sunday.

Based on the damage received, it looks like a vehicle hit one of the iron supports along the bridge moving it out of alignment by six inches, though it is not known the exact time when the crash happened or what kind of vehicle hit it. The Goshen Police Department took the report and is investigating the incident.

The bridge was closed down soon after it was discovered damaged. Rushlow said it’s being inspected Monday, and based on the results of the inspection, the bridge may have to remain closed until it’s repaired.

County Commissioner Mike Yoder said he’s concerned the bridge could be closed for a long time while they find the right materials, because it’s an historic structure.

“This could turn out to be a fairly complex repair job,” he said. “It’s bound to be a significant inconvenience.”

It was built in 1896, Rushlow said, and it’s known as a Philadelphia truss bridge. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

“It’s a significant historical structure,” he said. “It’s a very ornate bridge. There are not many around like it.”

It’s considered a heavy-traffic bridge, with about 4,000 vehicles passing through on a daily basis, Rushlow said.

Source :
Historic Goshen bridge closed following hit-and-run crash