INDIANAPOLIS — Damage to the Raymond Street bridge over Madison Avenue on Indianapolis' south side led to road closures in the area Friday morning.
Police told 13News that both east and westbound lanes of East Raymond Street and northbound Madison Avenue had to be closed after chunks of concrete fell from the overpass onto Madison.
A construction worker was driving by Friday morning and noticed the damage.
IMPD tweeted that the closures could last for a "significant amount of time" and asked drivers to avoid the area.
After bridge inspectors surveyed the damage, all lanes of both streets were allowed to reopen to traffic before noon Friday.
13 Investigates: Previous inspections show bridge in 'fair' condition
13 Investigates obtained U.S. Department of Transportation inspection data for the Raymond/Madison bridge. It shows the bridge was inspected in August, 2020. At that time, inspectors rated the bridge to be in “fair” condition, meaning “all primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.”
The inspection report recommended “bridge rehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength” which would have cost $835,000 at that time.
A 2018 inspection also found the bridge to be in fair condition and recommended repairs due to general deterioration or inadequate strength.
The bridge was built in 1956 and reconstructed in 1992, and it is required to be inspected every 24 months.
13News has contacted the Indiana Department of Transportation to determine if the bridge has been inspected more recently since the 24-month time period would have required another inspection by August of this year, and if the recommended repairs suggested in 2018 and 2020 were ever performed.
Check back for updates.