FLOYD COUNTY, Ind. (WDRB) -- The Blackiston Mill Dam in southern Indiana will be taken down after it failed in February, forcing the closure of a heavily-traveled bridge that won't reopen to traffic anytime soon.
For years, traveling across Floyd County was seamless—until the unexpected failure of the Blackiston Mill Dam turned a routine commute into a logistical nightmare, closing the Blackiston Mill Road Bridge that connects New Albany and Clarksville.
The collapse of the dam over Silver Creek redirected the water’s course, forcefully eroding the embankment and compromising the stability of a vital bridge. Now, the question on every resident’s mind is: when will the bridge be safe to cross again?
Before any vehicles can traverse the bridge, Floyd County must undertake a crucial two-step process. First, the county needs to remove what remains of the dam—a task that is expected to take several months. Once the dam is cleared, county engineers must assess the bridge’s structural integrity to determine if it is safe for traffic.
Al Knable, president of the Floyd County Commissioners, acknowledges the frustration felt by residents.
"There’s been an inconvenience, and I don’t want to marginalize that at all. People are rightfully upset about it," Knable said Tuesday at a commissioners meeting, where they voted to hire a firm that will collect the proper state and federal permits for the work to remove the dam.
The county has taken steps to address the crisis. Engineers have a plan: dismantle the damaged dam and redirect the water’s flow. This will prevent further erosion and allow stabilization efforts to begin.
"We are able to break the dam and create an opening, allowing water to be rerouted," said county engineer Horacio Urieta, outlining the approach. "This will help us stabilize the bank that was eroded by the creek."
But the problem runs deeper. The bridge, already aging, is in a delicate state. Even if repairs extend its usability, the long-term solution remains uncertain.
The county faces a tough decision: invest over half a million dollars to extend the current bridge’s lifespan, or prioritize the construction of a new bridge altogether. Plans for a new bridge have been in the works since 2017, but with costs rising every year, officials worry about further delays.
One thing is clear: if removing the dam slows down new bridge construction, commissioners are unwilling to compromise the long-term vision.
"I’d love to get it moved up," a commissioner noted. "Every single day we delay, the cost just goes up."
If all goes according to plan, the county aims to begin construction on a new bridge by early next year. Until then, residents must navigate the inconvenience of detours, waiting for the day they can once again drive freely across the county.
The story of this bridge is one of resilience, planning, and tough choices. As the county balances immediate needs with long-term infrastructure goals, residents eagerly anticipate the moment they can finally cross the bridge once more.
Related Stories:
- Legal battles, safety concerns fuel controversy over low head dams in southern Indiana
- Indiana DNR asking courts to take action against New Albany over Silver Creek dam
- Blackiston Mill Road Bridge remains closed with no reopening date set
- No timeline available for reopening of Blackiston Mill Road Bridge after dam failure
- Blackiston Mill Road Bridge over Silver Creek in New Albany closed due to dam failure
- Mediator chosen in battle over Silver Creek dam in New Albany
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
