A historic drawbridge in Michigan City is in danger of being stuck.
Emergency repairs have been ordered at the Franklin Street drawbridge that separates Lake Michigan and Trail Creek. The South Bend Tribune is reporting that a conduit that ferries electrical wiring to the bridge has collapsed. Water is now getting inside the conduit and corroding the wiring.
Lately, the bridge has quit running at times, but only at short intervals. However, further damage to the wiring means the bridge could get stuck at any position at any time.
The LaPorte County Highway Department engineer Jay Sullivan tells the South Bend Tribune that a new conduit will cost $115,000, with LaPorte County paying $80,000 and Michigan City picking up the rest. It’s unknown what new wiring will cost.