Construction shuts down Nimtz Parkway bridge over US31

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Nimtz Parkway bridge over US31 is shut down for construction through October 2013. The closure is causing headaches for drivers, especially for those who work on Nimtz Parkway.

Detour signs and orange barrels are popping up everywhere and it's making the commute difficult for many people.
 
Kreeya Avimukta works at a business located on Nimtz Parkway and she uses the Nimtz Parkway bridge everyday to get to work.
 
"There's no easy way to get around the area so it's just, I was just super annoyed about it,” said Avimukta.
 
Crews are starting to repair normal wear and tear on the bridge from heavy traffic.

"The oversized semi that wasn't properly permitted hit that bridge and caused some damage, not severe damage, but something that down the road needed to be repaired, so that's part of this project. But in addition to that we're also simply just rehabbing the bridge,” said Matt Deitchley, INDOT spokesman.
 
Drivers will have to use detours at the US 20 and Cleveland and Brick Road exits.
 
"If you'd like to take Nimtz Parkway and you can't get across the bridge that way, you'll just go down to one of the two loops for the ramps and turn around and go the other direction that way you can get to the area you need to get to,” said Deitchley.
 
Drivers who use the bridge every day don’t want to hear that.

"Since I do come in from Elkhart, it takes me a good fifteen to twenty minutes to drive. Now, I'm probably going to add another ten to fifteen minutes just because I do have to go around where I need to work,” said Avimutka.

Along with the Nimtz Parkway Bridge, there are also lane restrictions on US 31 which runs below the bridge.

INDOT officials say both of these projects are scheduled to be complete by October.

Nimtz Parkway Bridge Detours
Nimtz Parkway to Old Cleveland Road - Drivers wishing to take Nimtz Parkway west to Old Cleveland Road will travel north on U.S. 31 to the Brick Road exit, then south on U.S. 31 to the Nimtz Parkway exit.

Nimtz Parkway to U.S. 31 Southbound - Drivers wishing to take Nimtz Parkway to U.S. 31 Southbound will travel north on U.S. 31 to the Brick Road exit, then south on U.S. 31.

Old Cleveland Road to Nimtz Parkway – Drivers wishing to take Old Cleveland Road east to Nimtz Parkway will travel south on U.S. 31 to the U.S. 20 exit, then north on U.S. 31 to the Nimtz Parkway exit.

Old Cleveland Road to U.S. 31 Northbound - Drivers wishing to take Old Cleveland Road to U.S. 31 Northbound will travel south on U.S. 31 to the U.S. 20 exit, then north on U.S. 31.

U.S. 31 Southbound to Old Cleveland Road – No change for drivers.

U.S. 31 Southbound to Nimtz Parkway – Drivers wishing to take U.S. 31 Southbound to Nimtz Parkway will travel south on U.S. 31 to the U.S. 20 exit, then north on U.S. 31. to the Nimtz Parkway exit.

U.S. 31 Northbound to Nimtz Parkway – No change for drivers.

U.S. 31 Northbound to Old Cleveland Road – Drivers wishing to take U.S. 31 Northbound to Old Cleveland Road will travel north on U.S. 31 to the Brick Road exit, then south on U.S. 31 to the Nimtz Parkway exit.