The Memorial Bridge over the Wabash between Vincennes and Westport won’t be closed as scheduled because of…..bats.
The Indiana Department of Transportation announced today that a delay has been ordered to protect the endangered Indiana bat. According to regulations, work that would disturb the roosting place of the bat cannot be performed between April 1st and October 1st. The bats have been found under the bridge and the scheduled joint sealing and pavement overlay would disturb them.
The bridge is now scheduled to be closed on or after October 3rd. Until then, INDOT says motorists can still expect delays on the bridge as contracted construction crews will perform some painting and cleaning.
The 3.2 million dollar project will rehabilitate the bridge through paving, repairs and joint sealing.
The work actually started last winter when crews installed erosion control devices on the columns in the Wabash River.