Ind. agency won’t take over Wabash River bridge

NEW HARMONY, Ind. — The Indiana Department of Transportation says it won’t take over maintenance of an aging toll bridge over the Wabash River linking Indiana and Illinois, but is offering to help the group running it find the money for an estimated $8 million in repairs.

The 80-year-old bridge at New Harmony is overseen by a private commission created by Congress. State officials say shifting ownership to a public or nonprofit entity would make it eligible for many grant programs.

Indiana highway department chief of staff Robert Zier tells the Evansville Courier & Press that taking over the bridge wouldn’t advance the statewide highway network since it carries fewer than 1,000 vehicles a day.

The agency says Posey County could also receive up to $2.7 million by taking over some state roadways.