A new highway bridge is expected to double ocean cargo capacity for Indiana’s Lake Michigan port. The new State Road 249 bridge will open Nov. 6, marking a key milestone in INDOT’s $35.4 million multi-year project to double capacity on the only public roadway linking Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor and the Greater Chicago/Northern Indiana market. After the new 1,200-foot bridge opens, INDOT and contractor Superior Construction will close the old structure and reconstruct the second bridge. Once the project is completed in 2026, S.R. 249 will provide a four-lane connection to the port. The port has had only two-lane access since opening in 1970. The current bridge was built in 2000. The bridge handles hundreds of thousands of trucks annually carrying heavy, high-value cargos such as steel, chemicals, and ag products. Meanwhile, 30 feet below, critical rail lines carry passengers and freight throughout northern Indiana. “This bridge is a critical connector for global trade,” said Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock. “Ports require robust multimodal connections, and this new entrance will double our port’s capacity to handle critical ocean shipments. We have 17 ship berths and storage for 250 railcars, but only one truck lane entering the port. We are extremely grateful to Governor Holcomb, Commissioner Smith, and the entire INDOT team for providing a critical piece of infrastructure that will support future growth for this port and our state economy.”