A new highway bridge will open Nov. 6, adding two lanes to the Burns Harbor port entrance and supporting global trade growth.
The State Road 249 bridge marks a milestone in INDOT’s $35.4 million multi-year project. The bridge will double capacity on the only public roadway linking Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor and the Greater Chicago/Northern Indiana market.
“This bridge is a critical connector for global trade,” said Jody Peacock, Ports of Indiana CEO, in a press release. “Ports require robust multimodal connections, and this new entrance will double our port’s capacity to handle critical ocean shipments.”
The port currently has 17 ship berths and storage for 250 railcars, but only one truck lane entering the port.
After the new 1,200-foot bridge opens, INDOT and contractor Superior Construction will close the old structure and reconstruct the second bridge. When the project is completed in 2026, S.R. 249 will provide a four-lane connection to the port.
Michael Smith, INDOT commissioner, called S.R. 249 vital to the safe and expedited movement of people and commerce between the port and the state highway system.
“The bridge handles hundreds of thousands of trucks annually carrying heavy, high-value cargos such as steel, chemicals and ag products,” Smith said. “Meanwhile, 30 feet below, critical rail lines carry passengers and freight throughout northern Indiana.”
The new twin bridges are part of $77 million in construction projects at the port. Projects include adding three ship berths, two railyards, a new bulk warehouse and infrastructure rehabilitation projects. The port received federal approval to construct a new ocean container terminal scheduled to open in 2026.
“Our goal is to provide Indiana with a modern port system that connects local businesses to the world, and our customers depend on reliable supply chains and well-maintained infrastructure,” Ryan McCoy, Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor port director, said. “This project will also positively impact the environment by reducing congestion and idling time for vehicles, further lowering the port’s carbon footprint.”
Ports of Indiana is a statewide port authority operating three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan. Established in 1961, Ports of Indiana generates $4.6 billion in annual economic activity and supports 28,000 jobs.
