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Delphi, Indiana: Indiana Landmarks to repair Monon High Bridge

Delphi's Monon High Bridge to be repaired
Delphi's Monon High Bridge
Posted at 10:09 AM, Apr 11, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-11 18:25:33-04

DELPHI, Ind. -- The bridge where two murdered Delphi, Indiana girls were last seen will be rescued and repaired.

Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, were dropped off near the Monon High Bridge in February. They were supposed to meet family to be picked up but didn't show up. Their bodies were found the next day farther along Deer Creek.

DELPHI | A look at the property where the bodies of two missing teen girls were found | MAP: Where the two bodies of the teen girls were found near Delphi, Indiana

The bridge, which was built in 1891, is currently owned by CSX, but the railroad vacated it in 1987. 

Indiana Landmarks put the bridge on its 10 Most Endangered List in 2016.

"As soon as we have title, we’ll repair the deteriorated stone and iron pier—one of the bridge’s main supports—that caused us to list it as endangered," Tommy Kleckner, the director of Indiana Landmarks’ western regional office, said in a release.

Indiana Landmarks will put up a temporary fence at the north end of the bridge and a sign to warn against trespassing. The bridge will eventually re-open as part of Delphi's trail system.

The repairs are expected to cost $121,000. Indiana Landmarks expects to have the title for the bridge by the end of June. Indiana Landmarks will front the cost of the repairs and hopes to recover the cost through grants.

“While the High Bridge has been a popular destination for generations, including the period when it carried trains, it has never been considered a safe structure for pedestrians. This project will temporarily close off access in order to make it a much safer place for people of all ages to enjoy,” said Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby.

The bridge sits 63 feet above Deer Creek.

Indiana State Police released a picture of a suspect in the deaths of Abby and Liberty, which was taken by Liberty on her cell phone. She also captured a man's voice saying "down the hill" during what police call "criminal activity." You can listen to that recording and see the photo below.

 

Indiana State Police ask anyone who recognizes the man or the voice, or who may have any other information, to call the Tip Line at (844) 459-5786 or 1-800-225-5324 (800-Call FBI). Tips can also be emailed to Abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com. Information can be reported anonymously.

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