Historic State Line Bridge Set for Removal

For years, residents near the Kankakee River watched logjams form at the State Line Bridge. Now, it’ll be the bridge itself that gets dismantled. The bridge, built in 1926 and no longer in service, is more accessible to debris than to people. Its low span across the river at the Indiana/Illinois state line collects heavy debris, often causing flooding. This location makes clearing logjams a challenging task.

The Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission secured the final federal permit for the bridge’s removal on Friday. The $2.5 million project is slated to start this fall and finish by December. The removal process will involve cranes on each riverbank dismantling the bridge piece by piece. Its parts will be labeled and stored for potential future reconstruction elsewhere, allowing for continued navigation and floodwater flow.

Executive Director Scott Pelath emphasized the bridge’s historic value, stating in a news release that their goal isn’t salvage but preservation. The aim is to safeguard components for a community interested in reconstructing this historical structure.

Butler, Fairman and Seufert, an engineering firm from Merrillville, devised a plan using cranes on a temporary causeway for the removal. F.H. Paschen has been selected for the task. The commission, formed in 2019, has long prioritized the bridge’s removal. This bridge often traps debris due to its low position over the river.

Scott Pelath pointed out that the main issue is not merely debris blocking water but the impossibility of clearing it during floods when water flow is crucial.

John McNamara, Commission Chair and a former St. Joseph County surveyor, noted attempts to remove the bridge since the late 1970s. He remarked on its closure almost three decades ago and its impact each flood season. “This is a momentous day,” said McNamara. “The next significant event will be when the cranes take it off the river.”

Rob Churchill, a Newton County Commissioner and local farmer, echoed these sentiments. Farmers have long worried about the bridge obstructing drainage during flood seasons. Its removal will significantly alleviate farmers’ concerns.

Pelath acknowledged the assistance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Indiana officials in finalizing a preservation agreement. This agreement respects the bridge’s historical significance while advancing the flood-control efforts planned for this year.

Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.