Press Releases

(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08) released the following statement after legislation he authored, the Restore Harmony Way Bridge Act (H.R. 6793), passed through the House unanimously: 

“The Harmony Way Bridge was a feat of American engineering when it opened, but after decades of use, the bridge was closed in 2012 due to structural concerns. Communities on both sides of the Wabash River in Indiana and Illinois want to see this historic community landmark preserved. Unfortunately, the federal law that led to the bridge’s construction has also prevented it from being refurbished and reopened by the states of Indiana and Illinois. Instead, the bridge sits closed and simply sitting in a legal limbo.

“Today, we took a step forward in breathing new life into the historic Harmony Way Bridge.  The Restore Harmony Way Bridge Act will convey the Harmony Way Bridge to the New Harmony Bridge Bi-State Commission established by Indiana and Illinois – allowing the states to have management over the Harmony Way Bridge and write the next chapter for this historic bridge.”

Background

The Harmony Way Bridge was an engineering marvel that was built in 1930. The size of the Parker truss spans made it the largest of its kind in Indiana. It was permanently closed in 2012 due to structural integrity issues.  The Restore Harmony Way Bridge Act was cosponsored in the House by every member of the Indiana and Illinois delegations, and has been introduced in the United States Senate by Senator Todd Young (R-IN).