A $6.7 million federal grant has been awarded for the replacement of the 236-feet long Tannehill Bridge, located west of Taylorsville.
Although construction could get underway as early as July 2028, county engineer Danny Hollander said it’s more realistic to predict work starting in the spring of 2030.
“That’s how long it takes to get through the federal aid process,” Hollander said.
Construction costs are expected to reach $7.2 million. But when related costs such as design, obtaining right of way, preliminary engineering and utility relocation are factored in, the highway engineer said he expects the total to rise to about $9.3 million.
The current concern is the bridge’s efficiency rating, which determines structural integrity. While not in danger of collapsing, the rating has been so low since at least 2019 that the bridge has to be inspected every year, rather than on a normal two-year schedule, Hollander said.
“When they built it, it wasn’t designed to carry the current loads,” Hollander said. “It was only designed for a 15-ton truck. The (weight limit) posting has been required pretty much since it was built.”
The original Tannehill Bridge was a wooden covered bridge built in 1869. While it was strengthened with steel support posts in 1954, a new bridge was approved in 1965 and completed in 1966. According to the winning bid, the cost of the current bridge was $79,161.
In a financial commitment letter sent to the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) last November, the county agreed to pay $1.5 million toward construction, and another $1 million for inspection costs. These monies are expected to be taken out of the county’s cumulative bridge fund.
If prices remain stable, county government will pay 20% of the cost while federal funds administered by INDOT will finance the remaining 80%.
“But do you know anybody who can accurately predict the inflation rate?’ Hollander asked. “It’s been pretty extraordinary the last couple of years.”
If inflation brings prices higher, Hollander said the county will have to make up the difference.
Hollander says he was never given any assurances that funds for Tannehill Bridge would be granted.
“With federal funding, there is always doubt,” Hollander said. “There’s a limited amount of money throughout the state, and a lot of people apply for it. And we were just given a big award for the Lowell Bridge.”
Hollander is referring to the $5.52 million grant awarded to replace Lowell Bridge that was announced one year ago this month. But it will be at least 2026 before construction in and around the junction of Lowell Road and County Road 325W can move forward.
