Delayed several weeks by utility relocations and heavy rains, the Indiana Department of Transportation plans to close State Road 135 near Freetown for culvert removal and replacement Tuesday.

INDOT officials anticipate this closure at a branch of Salt Creek’s south fork, 5.2 miles north of U.S. 50 in Jackson County, will remain in place for about three weeks.

Olco, the state’s contractor for this $456,650 two-bridge contract, is charged with installing a 10-by-5-foot concrete box culvert.

Once in place, crews move north on State Road 135 to a branch of Hamilton Creek, 7.6 miles north of State Road 58 in Brown County. A 142-inch arch culvert will be constructed there, requiring a 30-day closure of the north-south highway.

Meanwhile, work continues at the double-arch bridge on State Road 135 at Little Beanblossom Creek, 1.7 miles north of State Road 45 in Brown County. The arch ring has been removed and is being replaced. Spandrel wall installation and bridge deck replacement will occur next. A 75-day closure is in effect.

Beaty Construction is the state’s contractor for this $2 million bridge contract, which also includes two other bridges and a box culvert in Brown and Morgan counties.

HIS Constructors holds a third state contract for nearby bridge work to be completed this construction season.

The $954,355 two-bridge project will focus on a State Road 135 three-span bridge over Hamilton Creek, 9.45 miles north of State Road 58 in Brown County, requiring a 60-day closure for repairs and a bridge deck overlay, and a State Road 58 single-span steel I-beam bridge over a branch of Bee Creek, 3 miles west of State Road 135 in Jackson County, requiring a closure of up to 150 days for removal and replacement.