The state is adding $5 million to its original cost estimate for Columbus’ railroad overpass over the State Road 46 and State Road 11 crossing on Columbus’ west side, bringing the total to more than $35 million.
Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety members signed an amendment to an interlocal agreement between the Indiana Department of Transportation and the city of Columbus on Tuesday which raised the estimated cost of the project from $30 million to $35,324,010. The state is paying 50 percent and the city, with partners including Bartholomew County and the railroad, responsible for the rest.
Bartholomew County is paying $1.5 million for the overpass with another $500,000 to be paid over a two-year period. The city’s share will include $4 million from Central TIF District funds, while other funding sources include about $5.5 million from the Cummins Engine Plant TIF District funds, up to $2.5 million in state or federal highway programs along with cost savings and $1.5 million from CSX and Louisville & Indiana Railroads.
Dave Hayward, Columbus’ executive director of public works and city engineer, said the increase accounts for right-of-way acquisition costs that were higher than predicted and increased construction costs. The city is paying for its share using TIF dollars provided by the Columbus Redevelopment Commission.
The $35.3 million cost is only an estimate. INDOT and the city won’t know how much the project will actually cost until INDOT opens construction bids for the project on Oct. 9.
“I’m still very hopeful the bids will run less than that amount and we’ll get some relief,” Hayward said.
The new interchange will allow motorists to avoid being slowed or stopped because of increasing railroad traffic projected to occur on the Louisville & Indiana Railroad tracks which pass through Columbus.
The railroad has leased its tracks running through Columbus to CSX, resulting in an increase in train traffic, train speed and delays at intersections involving rail crossings through the city, with the State Road 46/State Road 11 expected to have the most delayed local traffic.
City attorney Alan Whitted said the purpose of increasing the estimated cost now is so the city doesn’t face a delay once the bids are opened and construction can begin immediately.
Hayward said the next payment is due Dec. 1 based on the bids opened on Oct. 9. Overall completion of the overpass project is expected in mid-2021. Hayward said landscaping and other finishing work will continue through 2022.
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Under the current design, there will be three curved, cloverleaf-like ramps at the overpass planned for the intersection of State Road 46/State Road 11 on Columbus’ west side.
The first is for drivers who are traveling north on State Road 11 and wish to take State Road 46 West. These drivers would drive underneath the overpass and then turn right to take a curved entrance ramp to merge on to the overpass.
The second curved ramp is for drivers heading east on State Road 46 who wish to travel south on State Road 11. They would cross the overpass and then take an exit ramp — similar in shape to the Interstate 65 exit ramps in Edinburgh — that curves south like a cloverleaf until intersecting with State Road 11. There would be a traffic signal at the end of the ramp to enter State Road 11.
The third curved ramp would be for drivers who are heading west from downtown Columbus and wish to travel west on Jonathan Moore Pike (State Road 46). These drivers would use the left-hand lane to take a curved entrance ramp to merge on to the overpass.
More information is available online at columbusrailroadproject.org.
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