An aging toll bridge over the southern part of the Wabash River between Illinois and Indiana has closed earlier than expected.
The Evansville Courier & Press reports shortly before 3 p.m. Monday, Illinois State Police announced the 82-year-old New Harmony Bridge had been shut down as officials with the Illinois Department of Transportation posted ``bridge closed'' signs. State police from Illinois and Indiana were posted at both sides of the bridge blocking traffic. The move comes after the private White County Bridge Commission that oversees the bridge voted Sunday night to close it May 29th. An April inspection indicated it would cost $8.4 million to restore the bridge.
The New Harmony Bridge connects IL Route 14 with Indiana Route 66. Officials say fewer than 1,000 vehicles a day use the bridge. Motorists will now have to use the Interstate 64 bridge to the north or the IL Route 41 bridge to the south that connects Route 14 with Indiana Route 62.
The New Harmony Bridge was recently added to Indiana's list of most endangered landmarks. The New Harmony bridge opened in 1930.
