The Illinois New Harmony River Bridge Authority in Carmi, Illinois, with assistance from the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission in Albion, Illinois, announced today that a federal Delta Regional Authority (DRA) strategic planning grant of $150,000 has been awarded to the Illinois Authority to continue in a bi-partisan effort with the Indiana Bridge Authority to continue the engineering design for the restoration of the historic Harmony Way Bridge connecting White County Illinois to Posey County, Indiana. The one-half mile steel truss structure was built in the 1930s of the finest American-made Carnegie steel and is registered as an historic structure by the Federal, Illinois, and Indiana Historic Registries. The bridge closed in 2012 amid efforts to repair and maintain it into the future. The bridge connected Illinois and the Lincoln Heritage Trail to Indiana and the Evansville metropolitan area with jobs, medical, educational, and tourism opportunities in both states.
Illinois Governor, JB Pritzker, recognizes the importance of Illinois infrastructure and the Harmony Way Bridge stating:
“Our state’s bridges and roads are the arteries through which people, commerce, and innovation move through our state and country, and this important step in the Harmony Way Bridge project will help strengthen and grow that necessary infrastructure,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m grateful to the Biden-Harris administration for their support of this plan and look forward to working with federal partners and our neighbors in Indiana as it progresses.”
United States Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), an early supporter of the Congressional effort, said:
“Today’s announcement will help ensure Illinois New Harmony Bridge Authority has the resources needed as it works on this important infrastructure project—while also creating good-paying, local jobs in the process. I’m so proud to have helped champion this federal investment to help bring this community closer to restoring a critical piece of infrastructure—and a national landmark—into a bridge that will make it easier for our state’s working families to get where they want to go.”
In 2017 and 2018, in a bi-partisan effort the Illinois and Indiana legislatures and the United States Congress proposed and passed legislation to create two joint, five-member Bridge Authorities (the Illinois New Harmony River Bridge Authority and the Indiana New Harmony and Wabash River Bridge Authority) to explore restoration engineering studies to determine the viability of the bridge reconstruction. This DRA grant will be used to continue the engineering studies needed to restore and reopen the Harmony Way Bridge.
Since their appointments, the Illinois and Indiana Bridge Authorities have taken legal ownership of the bridge and worked with the Illinois Department of Transportation to procure engineering design services to make innovative repairs to the bridge. The engineers inspected the bridge in 2020 followed by an underwater inspection of the bridge in 2021. Remote monitoring of the bridge structure in 2022 was also conducted to test the effects of a composite deck design on the existing structure. The engineers concluded the bridge was in fair condition and could be restored safely. They also said, with a new deck and if properly maintained, the bridge life could be extended for another 40 to 50 years. Beginning in 2020, the two Authorities have worked closely together and have applied for numerous state and federal grants to secure funding for the very viable reconstruction project.
Angela Peyton, Executive Director of the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission, coordinated efforts to assist in applying for this DRA grant. The Commission worked closely with the Illinois Bridge Authority, and she says it stands ready to continue the work:
“Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission is pleased to assist in any manner with the Harmony Way Bridge Project. The Public Infrastructure Project is consistent with GWRPC’s current Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and is necessary for continued economic growth in the region. We are excited to be a part of the Illinois New Harmony River Bridge Authority’s vision and planning process to restore the bridge.”
Illinois New Harmony River Bridge Authority Chair Michael Egbert said of the DRA grant:
“This Delta Regional Authority grant is a welcome award and another step forward as the two Authorities’ quest to work together to restore and reopen the New Harmony Bridge which will restore connectivity, end isolation, and stimulate the economy of southeast Illinois and southwest Indiana. We very much appreciate the assistance both Authorities have jointly received from US Senators, Congress, and Governors in Illinois and Indiana as well as the Illinois Department of Transportation and our Illinois and Indiana state senators and legislators for making all of this possible.”
