February 20, 2018
Last Friday, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) awarded the City of Plymouth $1,310,400 in Federal Highway Administration construction funds for the restoration of the historic LaPorte Street Footbridge.
The City applied for the funds as part of INDOT’s call for rural projects late last year. The bridge, a notable landmark in the City’s downtown, was constructed in 1898 and is oldest remaining footbridge in the State of Indiana. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
The restoration project will include: reconstruction of the bridge deck and railing, repair of the superstructure and substructure, full cleaning and painting of all components, and new ADA accessible approaches.
The bridge provides an important link from the City’s near eastside neighborhoods to River Park Square and the downtown.
Regarding the INDOT award, Mayor Mark Senter said, “I’m very excited for this opportunity to restore the LaPorte Street Footbridge to its former glory. Our community is building momentum in the downtown, with investment in innovative new projects like the River Gate South Apartments, the Boys & Girls Club, and the Greenways Trail, all while continuing to invest in our historic structures such as the Rees Theater, City Hall, and the footbridge,” Senter also stated.
City staff will meet with INDOT for an early project coordination meeting shortly. Planning and construction work will occur over the coming years.