COLUMBUS, Ind. - Work to remove the low-head dam along the riverfront in downtown Columbus is officially underway following the release of frozen federal funds.
Contractor Ecosystems Connections Institute has mobilized heavy machinery in the river channel to execute the dam removal, which is projected to take under 10 days. Crews have deployed specialized protective containment booms in the water to prevent potential fluid spills during heavy excavation.
Despite the progress on dam removal, city officials announced that the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, originally set for October 23, has been postponed to the second quarter of 2027. Unusually heavy rainfall during August delayed initial site preparation, pushing back final surface finishes.
The revised timeline allows contractors to extend construction past the Bob Stewart Bridge to connect Water Street to the 1821 Trail near Lafayette Street, complete final paving, and plant new landscaping to bloom in the spring.
Residents are asked to avoid active construction zones along the riverfront during dam removal operations.
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