This from the Kokomo Tribune:
PERU, IN – The closure of the Kelly Avenue Bridge which provides access to one of the largest commercial areas in Peru has some businesses worried the move could cut into their profits. The Kelly Avenue Bridge is now closed to all traffic and will remain closed until November as crews work on a major rehabilitation of the structure. Miami County Highway Engineer Ken Einselen said the structure was built in the 1930s and is now one of the last truss bridges of its kind left in the state. He said the $1.8-million project underway on the bridge includes repainting the structure, replacing the joints, overlaying the pavement and fixing some of the abutments. The bridge spans the Wabash River on the city’s west side and provides the main access point into the city from U.S. 31, connecting South Business 31 to Main Street. Now, some of those businesses worry the six-month closure of the structure could hurt their sales and jeopardize their profits for years to come. County Engineer Einselen said he hopes the bridge closure has a minimum impact on local businesses, but regardless of the impact, the bridge rehabilitation must be done. He said it’s been over 30 years since the structure has been painted or had any major repairs. The official detour around the closure has drivers heading west on Logansport Road to U.S. 31 then south to Business 31. Einselen said emergency responders will use River Road to gain access to the south side of the bridge. County officials have been working to secure funding for the project since 2013. In total, the project will cost just over $2 million, which includes inspection fees. Federal funds will pay for 80 percent of the project, with county money paying for 20 percent.