The Cline Avenue Bridge is more than halfway to completion.
The bridge project recently marked the securing of the 343rd concrete segment. Placement of this piece, one of 685, means the west end up to the Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal, represents the project is more than half completed, according to project representatives.
The project is managed by Cline Avenue Bridge LLC, which is owned and operated by United Bridge Partners.
As installation of the remaining bridge segments continue, work also is progressing on the driving deck, including the addition of lighting structures, fabrication of barrier walls, and installation of the tolling system.
Since construction began in June 2017, the foundations and support columns have been constructed; existing steel bridge preservation work completed; and all bridge segments have been fabricated.
The Cline Avenue Bridge in East Chicago, which has been closed since 2009, is on pace to reopen in 2020, according to project representatives.
The bridge project is being privately funded and has an estimated cost of $150 million. When completed it will reconnect SR 912 to I-90.
Drivers who utilize the bridge will have to pay tolls. The reopened bridge will be incorporated into existing electronic toll payment networks including E-ZPass and iPass but if a driver does not have an active transponder, they will be invoiced through the mail, according to project representatives.
Pay by plate tolls for two-axle vehicles will be $4.85, while vehicles with three axles or more will be charged $7.72. Motorists with an electronic transponder will pay $2.25 for two-axle vehicles or $4.95 for vehicles with three axles or more.
