State Line Bridge Removal Approved to Prevent Kankakee River Flooding

People living near the Kankakee River have long observed logjams forming at the State Line Bridge. Now, the focus shifts to the removal of the bridge itself due to its problematic presence. Constructed in 1926, the bridge was decommissioned years ago, yet its low clearance over the Kankakee River at the Indiana/Illinois state line makes it a catchment for heavy debris, increasing the risk of flooding. Its location further complicates the task of clearing these logjams.

The Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission has secured the final federal permit necessary for this anticipated bridge removal. The $2.5 million endeavor is scheduled to start this fall and aims for completion by December.

The plan for dismantling the bridge involves two cranes positioned on either side of the river. The bridge will be carefully taken apart, and each piece will be identified and stored for future reassembly in a setting that does not impede water flow. “The bridge possesses certain historical attributes, and we intend to honor those fully,” stated Executive Director Scott Pelath in a news release. He clarified, “This isn’t a salvage mission. We aim to disassemble it meticulously and safeguard each piece for potential future reconstruction by a community or organization.”

Butler, Fairman and Seufert, a Merrillville-based engineering firm, devised the plan to use two cranes with a temporary river causeway for the removal. F.H. Paschen was chosen in June to undertake the bridge’s dismantling. Pelath confirmed that the commission has fully allocated funds for this project.

Founded in 2019, the commission has prioritized removing the State Line Bridge. While not the only bridge on the list, its location underlines its challenges; it sits low over the river, constantly trapping heavy debris. “The issue isn’t solely debris accumulation and floodwater blockage,” Pelath explained. “The main challenge is that its position makes it impossible to address these obstructions during a flood, precisely when water movement is crucial.”

Commission Chair John McNamara, a retired St. Joseph County surveyor, reflected, “I chaired a previous Kankakee commission in the late 1970s, and removing this bridge was a goal even then.” Highlighting its closure almost three decades ago, McNamara noted, “The bridge hinders high water every flood season.”

Newton County Commissioner and local farmer Rob Churchill echoed this sentiment. “As long as I can recall, farmers like me have worried about this bridge,” he remarked. “With snowmelts and rain, we think of drainage blocked by daunting steel. Its removal will be significant for our farms.”

Pelath acknowledged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff and Indiana officials for aiding the commission in setting up a preservation agreement. This agreement ensures the bridge’s historical significance is respected while allowing this vital flood-prevention project to advance.

Doug Ross contributed to this report as a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.