State Line Bridge to Be Relocated
Published: Friday, July 25, 2025
Lake County Bridge No. 36, better known as "State Line Bridge," has obstructed the natural flow of the Kankakee River for decades. The Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission aims to permanently solve the problem.
"The bridge has been closed to traffic since 1999, and sits only a few feet above the channel," said Lake County Surveyor and Commission Vice Chair Bill Emerson. "During every high-water event, it jams with new debris that impedes flow for the entire region. It is a drainage barrier and human safety hazard."
Because the bridge is eligible for historic preservation, the commission intends to responsibly remove it so it can be reassembled elsewhere for the public's enjoyment. This year, the commission has applied for all federal and state permits to initiate the bridge's removal.
Indiana's Division of Historic Preservation and Archeology has acknowledged the persistent flood hazard posed by the structure, a view the agency has conveyed to federal officials reviewing the project proposals.
"The Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission deems the bridge a direct impediment to effective flood mitigation, magnet for logjams and heavy debris accumulation during flood events, and a persistent barrier to navigation and safe movement," wrote Beth McCord, deputy state historic preservation officer to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "For these reasons, it is not considered prudent to retain or restore the bridge in its current location."
Pelath said the commission has applied to remove the bridge using two cranes atop a temporary causeway structure in the river. The causeway would then be immediately removed while workers disassemble and store the bridge prior to relocation.
"With the removal State Line Bridge from its current location, we will not eliminate flood risks, but we certainly will eliminate a culprit in worsening them," said Commission Executive Director Scott Pelath.
Current plans are to move the bridge from its current location during the 2026 work season.
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