News

Heavy rain earlier this month has not significantly delayed construction work on the railroad overpass and interchange project on Columbus’ west side, although change orders have slightly impacted the cost of the project.

Crews from Milestone Contractors have been working seven days a week — and, at times, past daylight hours — on the estimated $35 million project that is being jointly funded by the Indiana Department of Transportation, City of Columbus, Bartholomew County, Cummins Inc. and the Louisville and CSX Railroads.

A project nearly four years in the making is now a reality after city, state and railroad officials broke ground on November 4, 2019 for an estimated $35 million railroad overpass on Columbus’ west side.

The public is invited to the groundbreaking ceremony for the State Road 46 Railroad Overpass Project.  The ceremony will be held on Monday, November 4, 2019 at 4:00 pm near the former Kokolene site on the north side of SR 46, just west of SR 11.

More than 50 people attended a public hearing Wednesday night at Columbus City Hall to learn more details about the $30 million overpass project. If this winter is mild enough to allow for construction, the overpass could be open by Nov. 15, 2020.

The hearing will be at 6:00 p.m. May 29 in the Cal Brand Meeting Room at Columbus City Hall. Comments are being sought about the environmental documents and materials about the proposed new $30 million interchange that will allow motorists to avoid being slowed or stopped because of increasing railroad traffic projected to occur later this year.