West Market Street rail bridge work being extended

Market Street rail bridge
The bridge on West Market Street has been under construction since March 30. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – High speed rail upgrades to the Union Pacific Railroad bridge on West Market Street will take much longer than expected.

Bloomington Public Works Director Jim Karch said crews are working to finish work on the retaining walls. After that they’ll get to work on the road.

“Which was really anticipated originally to be done in the middle of July,” said Karch. “They’re looking now at starting in the middle of July on the road work, which will include, also, some work on sewers and water main.”

Karch said the hope now is to finish construction by Labor Day. He explained crews have had issues with underground utilities.

“One of them was a fiber optic line that Union Pacific found when they were doing the retaining wall that had to be relocated they didn’t anticipate,” Karch said.

Karch added the heavy rains have also slowed progress.

The railroad work first began March 30.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.

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