May 9 (Update)

INDOT has moved the deadline for repairs on the Morgantown bridge on State Road 135 North from Friday, July 8 to Wednesday, July 20, said Brown County Commissioner Diana Biddle.

The change came due to no contractors placing bids on the contract that was to be awarded May 5.

INDOT has reopened the bidding process and has indicated they have interested contractors who were simply not able to bid previously due to timing, Biddle said.

The new contract will be awarded Friday, May 13.

May 4

The Indiana Department of Transportation has set a July 8 deadline for contractors to complete repairs on the Morgantown bridge on State Road 135 North, said Brown County Commissioner Diana Biddle.

In addition, the state will award a bonus if the contractor completes the work early.

INDOT plans to award the contract within days, she said.

Biddle, Brown County Highway Superintendent Mike Magner and Town Manager Scott Rudd attended a closed meeting with INDOT in Columbus Wednesday to discuss the two bridge closures affecting the northern end of the county.

The other is on State Road 45 over Lick Creek in Helmsburg.

Biddle said INDOT has agreed to leave the intersection of State Road 45 and Lick Creek Road open until the Morgantown bridge is completed.

INDOT had planned for the intersection to be closed for construction crews to use it as a staging area, which meant sending drivers on a longer detour.

For the time being, the Lick Creek bridge project has been delayed, Biddle said. It is waiting on a water line to be moved, which has been delayed by adverse weather.