The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has provided $26 million in emergency relief funds to the Indiana Department of Transportation to help repair roads and bridges damaged by historic flooding earlier this month.
Among the projects the funding will support is the rapid replacement of the Hazel Dell Parkway bridge spanning Blue Woods Creek in Carmel. The bridge is on a heavily traveled north-south route between Carmel and Fishers that carries more than 10,000 vehicles daily.
Indiana was hit by a 1,000-year rainfall event and derecho Aug. 11-17 that caused widespread highway closures, bridge damage and debris buildup. The storm dropped up to 14 inches of rain in 10 hours, overwhelming transportation infrastructure and washing out federal-aid roadways.
Blue Woods Creek is normally only about 8 feet wide and a few feet deep, but the historic flooding transformed the small waterway into a high-velocity channel. As the White River overflowed and reversed the creek’s flow, the rushing water caused severe erosion around and beneath the Hazel Dell Parkway bridge, ultimately destroying the structure.
In addition to the Hazel Dell bridge replacement, FHWA funding will support repairs on Interstate 70 and State Road 38, as well as multiple bridges in Wayne County that were severely damaged during the storm.
The $26 million is a “quick release” of Emergency Relief funds and represents an initial installment toward restoring essential transportation links. Additional funding will be available through the emergency relief program as damage costs are determined.
Hamilton County officials expect to hire a contractor for the Hazel Dell Parkway bridge replacement by Thanksgiving, with the replacement expected to be completed in 2027.
Photo by from Pexels
For more of the latest from the expansive government marketplace, check Government Market News daily for new stories, insights and profiles from public sector professionals. Check out our national contracting newsletter here.
