A review by Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and URS had found that cost-effective repair of the Cline Avenue Bridge would be impossible. "The structural integrity of the bridge is in such a diminished state that any combination of repair or reconstruction required to meet minimum safety requirements would cost in the tens of millions of dollars and offer a lifespan that would be a fraction of that justified by the investment," said INDOT commissioner Michael Reed.

Reed has said that the aim is to have the options identified no later than the end of February.

The problems came to light during a statewide inspection being undertaken by URS, covering nine post-tensioned concrete box girder bridges.