West 30th Street Bridge

Designed by Henry W. Klaussman and built in 1908 by the Marion County Construction Company and W.M. Fife & Son, the West 30th Street Bridge features a Melan arch design with limestone cladding and railings. ^[2] The bridge underwent rehabilitation in 1979. The crossing is recognized as an exemplary representation of the City Beautiful movement, forming part of the Indianapolis Park and Boulevard System. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

By the 21st century, the bridge was in poor structural condition and required further rehabilitation. Three proposals were considered, and the Indianapolis Department of Public Works decided to replace the Melan arch with a reinforced concrete arch. ^[2] Efforts were made to reuse the existing limestone cladding and railings, although 300 cubic feet of missing and deteriorated limestone required replacement. Travel lanes were widened from 10 to 11 feet, which slightly reduced the widths of the sidewalks and multi-use paths. A crash-tested George Washington-style railing was be installed between the sidewalks and travel lanes, and new historically appropriate five-globe light fixtures replaced the existing lights.

Rehabilitation work for the historic West 30th Street Bridge was proposed to begin in winter 2021, with an estimated cost of $17 million, and was expected to take two construction seasons to complete. ^[1] Work officially began in the second quarter of 2022 but faced repeated delays. ³ Engineers discovered the bridge was in worse condition than originally believed, and construction had to pause when federally protected barn swallows nested on the structure. Additional delays came from defective parts that required repair or modification after being ordered.

The West 30th Street Bridge reopened to traffic in March 2026. ³