Plans are likely to move ahead for the demolition of the Cline Avenue Bridge over East Chicago, Ind. (Credit: CBS)
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EAST CHICAGO, Ind (CBS) — An unstable bridge, which has been the object of much debate, could get a reprieve in Northwest Indiana.
As WBBM Newsradio 780′s Felicia Middlebrooks reports, the Cline Avenue Bridge in East Chicago, Ind., is unsafe, and slated for demolition. But Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels says it’s not too late to replace it.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780′s Felicia Middlebrooks reports
He advises putting a plan in place quickly.
The Indiana Department of Transportation announced plans on July 1 to move ahead with plans to tear down the bridge, after Ameristar Casino missed a deadline for a $35 million contribution to rebuild it.
In November 2009, the bridge was closed in for what was expected to be six weeks, after an inspection report suggested that the department lower the weight limit for vehicles crossing the bridge.
But by December of that year, INDOT had decided to have the bridge torn down.
Ameristar says it is holding off on funding repairs so it can monitor the proposed gambling expansion now on Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk in Illinois.
The Transportation Department says if no plan is in place, it will entertain bids for the demolition of the bridge in November.
(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS Radio and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
