HOBART, IN — Superior Construction has completed construction of the Colorado Street bridge over Canadian National Railroad tracks in Hobart, Indiana, creating a safer route at a previously crash-prone crossing. The bridge, just north of 69th Avenue, officially reopened to traffic following a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by City of Hobart Mayor Josh Huddlestun and project partners.
Crews from Superior, a family-owned infrastructure contractor, converted a problematic at-grade crossing into a modern, prestressed concrete two-lane bridge featuring a 10-foot-wide sidewalk. The new structure addresses long-standing safety concerns at what Huddlestun described as a “pinch point” that frequently resulted in crashes and hindered emergency response times.
“Not only is this a beautiful bridge that enhances the community, but it will save lives by eliminating a dangerous crossing,” Superior Construction Midwest President Dan Sopczak said. “Working with Mayor Huddlestun and his team over these 15 months has been truly rewarding, and knowing residents no longer have to worry about this intersection means everything to us.”
Construction began in February 2024 after Colorado Street was closed to traffic. Superior worked in partnership with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), design firm American Structurepoint, and construction inspection team Lochmueller Group to deliver the complex infrastructure project. The bridge design will accommodate future expansion and increased traffic volume while providing a permanent solution to railroad crossing safety issues.
The project scope included:
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- Construction of a two-span prestressed concrete bulb-tee beam bridge
- Installation of a 10-foot-wide pedestrian sidewalk
- Single-lane traffic configuration in each direction
- Complete grade separation from Canadian National Railroad tracks
- Placement of 60,000 cubic yards of borrow embankment material to build the roadway approaches
- Installation of 24,000 square feet of mechanically stabilized earth retaining walls to support the embankments
- Construction of 4,000 square feet of precast modular T-wall retaining structures
The project is part of INDOT's Local Trax Rail Overpass Program. The goal of the partnership between INDOT, local communities, and railroads is to improve safety, traffic fluidity, and economic development at selected Indiana locations. The one-time grant opportunity allowed Indiana cities, towns, and counties to address their most pressing railroad safety concerns through permanent infrastructure solutions.
