Bridge work continues in Merrillville

MERRILLVILLE | The Lake County Highway Department hopes a bridge replacement project on Grand Boulevard in Merrillville will be completed next month.

Beams are in place for the bridge, which is near 93rd Avenue, said Duane Alverson, the highway department engineer.

"It's moving along well at this point," Alverson said.

Weather permitting, a concrete deck will be poured next week, he said.

Workers will wait for the concrete to cure before concrete rails are poured. Alverson said guardrails also will be installed.

The highway department originally expected the work could be finished in mid-January, but there were some minor delays.

Workers encountered some difficulties while establishing the support structures, Alverson said. There also were delays while utilities were relocated.

Alverson said pleasant weather this winter has helped the project advance. The bridge could be open to traffic in the middle of March "if the weather continues to cooperate," Alverson said.