NEW ALBANY, Ind.—The Indiana Department of Transportation is accelerating corrective measures to restore proper water flow through a 975-foot-long steel pipe that parallels Interstate 64 at New Albany.
INDOT hydraulics engineers determined the oval pipe—which measures 13 feet in diameter—has collapsed approximately 60 feet from the end where water exits. Full extent of the damage will not be known until the pipe is unearthed.
Yesterday (JANUARY 15), E & B Paving of Clarksville was awarded an excavation contract based on its low bid. Two other contractors participated in the bidding that called for an immediate remedial response.
Crews and equipment will be onsite next week as soon as weather conditions allow.
Late last month amid heavy rains, the City of New Albany contracted an excavation company to take initial action to correct water flow at the pipe. After INDOT determined responsibility for the structure —which is located 30 feet outside established state right-of-way—an accelerated schedule for remediation was implemented.
Officials say next week’s mobilization is Step 1 in what could be several phases of restoration.
The jumbo pipe was put in place in the 1960s to redirect meandering Valley View Creek outside the footprint for I-64 construction. Length of the original pipe was extended in the mid-1970s.
Stay informed. Updated information and a map of the closure are available on the Indiana Department of Transportation TrafficWise service at indot.carsprogram.org. Roadway information is also available by calling 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or 511 from a mobile phone. Follow @INDOTSoutheast on Twitter at www.twitter.com/INDOTSoutheast and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/
Subscribe to receive text and email alerts about INDOT projects in your county athttps://public.govdelivery.
