The Indiana Department of Transportation is reminding area drivers that demolition of the three-span Sand Creek bridge on U.S. Highway 31 takes place on Monday. That bridge is currently closed.

Harry Maginity, INDOT spokesman, says that, despite the closure, officials are aware that a number of vehicles have been illegally going around barricades to use the bridge. He says that these drivers, and everyone else, need to realize that, come Monday, the bridge, located 7.2 miles south of State Road 7 at the Bartholomew-Jackson County line, will be gone. Maginity adds that Indiana State Police Troopers are monitoring the area closely for those who continue to use the bridge this weekend.

Maginity says that a number of detours are available for drivers to use. Those driving from the north can utilize County Road 900 South, while those driving in from the south can access County Road 1150 North. INDOT says that a state highway detour is routing traffic around the construction area by way of U.S. 50 and Interstate 65.

Milestone is the state’s contractor for this $8.4 million project, which will replace the Sand Creek bridge and two culverts during a 240-day closure. During that time, Maginity says that crews will repair and resurface U.S. 31 from a pavement break south of Base Road near Columbus, to a pavement break south of U.S. 50 at Seymour. In addition, he says that a roundabout is also being constructed at County Road 400 South/Southern Crossing in Bartholomew County.