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Last updated on Thursday, May 26, 2016
(EVANSVILLE) - Details of a massive $25 million construction project along Highway 41 were officially released.
The project will span just South of the U.S. 41 / I-69 interchange in Evansville to just North of Stratman Road in Henderson.
It's a joint effort between INDOT and the Kentucky Transportation Department. The three phase project that will take two years to complete.
The focus will be on seven bridges along that span of Highway 41. All of those bridges were built around the same time and transportation officials say they all need work.
The Southbound Twin Bridge is on the list to get a new deck overlay. Officials say the Northbound bridge doesn't need that work. The other bridges involved are much smaller ones that run over creeks and the Ohio River overflow area.
This will mean a major change in traffic patters in that area for two years.
One lane will be open on the Southbound bridge, while three lanes of traffic will run over the Northbound bridge. Other lane changes will also be required on the smaller bridges throughout the project.
One man who owns property in that area hopes that the project will improve drainage on his land.
"About 20 years ago when they redid this decking for the bridge, the contractor at the time through the State of Indiana dropped all the concrete, all the steel and rebar, and what's happened, instead of hauling it off they dropped it and it has started silting in and it's ruined all of our drainage down through here," said property owner Jim Gill. "So with this project coming up and doing the re-decking, I want to make sure the State of Indiana doesn't do this or allow a contractor to do this again."
Most of the work will be done at night.
During the construction, heavy vehicles won't be allowed to travel over the bridges. They will have to detour through Maceo, Kentucky.
During the project, officials say traffic cameras will be installed to monitor traffic.
There will also be increased patrols and the speed limit will be reduced to 35 miles per hour.
Construction is set to start in the Spring of next year and run through the Summer of 2019.
Officials say once the project is complete, major construction in that area shouldn't be needed again for the next 20 to 25 years.
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